The below summary is unconfirmed until the Minutes of the October 4 Meeting are accepted by Council.
1. Opening Prayer & Original Custodians Statement
2. Apologies
None
3. Confirmation of Minutes
That the Minutes of the Scheduled Meeting of Council held on 4 October 20201 and the Minutes of the Annual (Statutory) Meeting of Council held on 25 October 2021, be confirmed. (7-0)
4. Declaration by Councillors and Officers of any Conflict of Interest in any Item on the Agenda
None
5. Mayoral Presentation
6. Public Question Time
7.1. PRESENTATION OF ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021
Under section 100 of the Local Government Act 2020 the Mayor must report on the implementation of the Council Plan by presenting the Annual Report at an open Council meeting.
This annual report covers the fiscal year 2020-2021 and falls within the time frame covered by the Council Plan 2017-2021 which has since been replaced with a new four-year plan.
The report contains a report on operations along with performance and financial statements which describe Council’s efforts over the fiscal year as it pursues objectives in the Council Plan.
The Annual Report shows that several Council services were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool Stadium, Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, AquaZone and the Warrnambool Art Gallery among the services required to close for large periods of time. This in turn affected Council staff with a number of staff stood down at the height of the major lockdown in 2020.
The demand for other Council services continued unabated. Many staff continued to work from home, other staff continued to provide “frontline” services and care, particularly those in Home Support area who help some of the more disadvantaged community members in their homes.
Council’s outdoor staff continued to perform regular duties and including the maintenance of open spaces and buildings.
Work on major infrastructure projects, including the redevelopment of Reid Oval and the Learning and Library Hub, also continued.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That Council endorses the Warrnambool City Council Annual Report 2020-2021.
7.2. SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING DATES 2022
Under Council’s Governance Rules, Council is required to fix the dates, times and places of all Scheduled Council Meetings for the following 12 months at the first Council meeting following the Annual (Statutory) Meeting of Council.
The proposed Scheduled Council Meeting dates for the period February 2022 – December 2022 is contained within the recommendation.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That Council adopt the following Scheduled Council Meeting dates for 2022:-
- Monday 7 February 2022
- Monday 7 March 2022
- Monday 4 April 2022
- Monday 2 May 2022
- Monday 6 June 2022
- Monday 4 July 2022
- Monday 1 August 2022
- Monday 5 September 2022
- Monday 3 October 2022
- Monday 24 October 2022 – Annual Meeting of Council
- Monday 7 November 2022
- Monday 5 December 2022
7.3. ACTIVITIES & INITIATIVES 2021-2022: JULY - SEPTEMBER (QUARTER 1)
This report reflects on the progress and achievements of a broad range of Activities and Initiatives set out in the Council Plan and Budget for the financial year 2021 –2022.
Whilst Council has followed all health directives of the state government Council has still been able to achieve the continuation of most of its services to the community in some form despite the impacts of COVID-19 and has additionally altered its program focus where appropriate to respond to supporting the community through our program of works.
Council continues to deliver services that respond that keep us safe. This continues to mean rethinking how we provide our services to the community. Council has adapted its service delivery methods with Covid safe plans and has continued to plan for a post COVID future for this community.
The A&I’s underpin activities Council undertakes to work toward the vision 2021 - 2025 of “A thriving city at the heart of coast and country”.
The 5 key objectives that support this vision are:
1. We will be a healthy, inclusive and thriving community with equitable access to services, cultural opportunities and recreational activities.
2. We will protect and strengthen local ecosystems, enhance biodiversity and enable sustainable communities.
3. We will support a resilient local and self-sustaining regional economy that encourages economic growth and provides increased employment opportunities that attract ongoing investment.
4. We will provide high quality places that people value and want to live, work, play and learn in.
5. We will be recognized as a collaborative Council and a high-performing organization that enables positive outcomes for Warrnambool’s community, environment and economy and for Victoria’s Southwest.
Council supported the following recommendations (7-0):
That the Activities & Initiatives 2021 – 2022: July – September (Quarter 1), be received.
7.4. SEPTEMBER FINANCIAL REPORT
This Finance Report compares actual financial results to budget for the 3 months from 1 July 2021 to 30 September 2021 - refer Attachment 1.
The report sets out financial results for Councils recurrent (day to day operations) Projects, Capital Works, Rates and Loan activities.
Year to date forecasts are profiled to reflect the timing of cash inflows and outflows.
Overall the monthly actual results indicate a favourable financial position of $0.141m when compared to the YTD Budget.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That the Financial Performance report for the 3 months ended 30 September 2021 be received.
7.5. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE MEMBERS &
CHAIRPERSON
The Audit & Risk Committee (the Committee) is an independent advisory committee established under section 54 of the Local Government Act 2020.
Two vacancies for independent Committee members have arisen due to the retirement of the current Committee chairperson and the imminent retirement of a committee member which has presented an opportunity for an orderly succession plan for this important Committee.
The charter for the Audit & Risk Committee stipulates that the Council must appoint independent members to the Committee and must appoint the chairperson.
An expression of interest (EOI) process for the vacant position has been conducted including advertisements in the Warrnambool Standard and on Council’s website.
Candidates were reviewed and interviewed based on the skills, experience, and expertise of their applications.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
1. That Ms. Donna Porritt be appointed as an independent member on Council’s Audit & Risk Committee from November 2021 to November 2025 with non-voting rights for the 16th of November 2021 meeting.
2. That Mr. Leon Fitzgerald be appointed as an independent member on Council’s Audit & Risk Committee from November 2021 to November 2025 with non-voting rights for the 16th of November 2021 meeting and the 8th of March 2022 meeting.
3. That Mr. Dennis Farley be appointed as the chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee following the 16th of November 2021 meeting.
4. That Council acknowledges the outstanding contribution of Professor Rob Wallis over the 11-year tenure on Warrnambool Councils Audit and risk Committee including 10 years as chair of the committee and that Council thanks him for his service to the Warrnambool community in this role.
7.6. WASTE STRATEGY 2021-2025
The current Waste Minimisation and Resource Recovery Strategy 2017-2021 is due for review.
Additionally, a large number of the actions have been completed such as, the full rollout of the FOGO service, transition to the fourth bin, and a number of other key actions.
The draft Waste Strategy 2021-2025 – (Refer to Attachment 1) is a forward-looking document with some ambitious aims and objectives. It builds on the completed work of the 2017-2021 strategy and looks to embrace new methods of waste management with a key focus on waste reduction, reducing waste to landfill, exploration of new technologies and extensive community engagement and education programs.
The draft strategy if endorsed by Council will be released for community consultation and feedback, for a period of not less than 28 days, via Council’s “Your Say” website, Noticeboard in the Warrnambool Standard and social media.
This feedback is vital to inform the Strategy and to actively involve the community on the journey to further improve waste management in the City and the region.
Traditionally, community engagement on waste matters in Warrnambool attracts a lot of discussion, submissions, and interest from the community and the media. The Warrnambool community places a high value on the beauty of the City and our environment.
Warrnambool City Council has been recognised as a leader in waste management initiatives, and the draft Waste Strategy 2021–2025 is intended to build upon these important achievements, and set a direction for future best practice waste management for Warrnambool and the region.
The cost of preparing the strategy was covered within the budget of City Amenity, as the document was drafted entirely “in-house”.
Council supported the following recommendations (7-0):
That Council:
1. Notes the draft Strategy and endorses the content.
2. Resolves to release the draft Waste Strategy 2021- 2025 for public comment for a period not less than 28 days and to consider submissions before adopting the Strategy.
7.7 ADVISORY COMMITTEE/REFERENCE GROUP REPORTS
This report contains the record of one Reference Group meeting:
Warrnambool Airport Reference Group Meeting – 4 October 2021 – refer Attachment 1.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That the record of the Warrnambool Airport Reference Group Meeting held on 4 October 2021, be received.
7.8 INFORMAL MEETINGS OF COUNCIL REPORTS
Section 80A(2) of the Local Government Act 1989 required the record of an Assembly of Councillors to be reported at an ordinary Council meeting.
Assembly of Councillor Records are no longer a requirement in the Local Government Act 2020 as of 24 October 2020. However, under Council’s Governance Rules, a summary of the matters discussed at the meeting are required to be tabled at the next convenient Council meeting and recorded in the minutes of that Council meeting.
The record of the following Informal Meetings of Council are enclosed:-
- Monday 11 October 2021 – refer Attachment 1.
- Monday 18 October 2021 – refer Attachment 2.
- Monday 25 October 2021 – refer Attachment 3.
Council received the report (7-0)
7.9 MAYORAL & CHIEF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ACTIVITIES – SUMMARY REPORT
Council received the report (7-0).
8. Notice of Motion
9. General Business
10. Urgent Business
11. Close of Meeting