What's on the agenda for the November council meeting?

25 Nov 2024, 03:19

The monthly Ordinary Meeting for Kempsey Shire Council will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, November 26, at Council Chambers with a comprehensive agenda.

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Looking for a new CEO

Council will seek to commence the recruitment process for a new General Manager to replace Craig Milburn who is retiring after nearly seven years of service to Kempsey Shire.

Moving forward the position will have a title change from General Manager to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with current Director Corporate and Commercial, Stephen Mitchell, stepping into the Acting CEO role during the recruitment process.

The task of recruitment is delegated to a selection panel consisting of the Mayor Kinne Ring, Deputy Mayor Julie Coburn, another councillor and one suitably qualified person independent of council.

Freedom of the Shire ceremony

Council will seek permission to extend an invitation to 312 Squadron Macleay Valley Australian Air Force Cadets for Freedom of the Shire as a token of appreciation.

Freedom of the Shire, also known as Freedom of the City or Freedom of Entry, is an ancient honour granted to military units allowing them the privilege to freely enter a settlement.

In ancient times soldiers were forced to camp outside city walls unless they had earned the trust of the local populace. Today this is a totally ceremonial honour bestowed upon a unit with close or historic ties to the area.

The ceremony consists of a parade and presentation of a scroll.

If council extends the invite, or grants the privilege to 312 Squadron then arrangements for the parade would be made by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to occur towards the end of 2025 to coincides with the units' 25th anniversary.

It is expected that the costs of the event will be met by the RAFF and not land on council in anyway.

November's council meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 26. Picture supplied / Kempsey Shire Council

Financial reports received

Council is set to receive various reports including one from council's auditors on the 2023-24 Financial Statements.

It will also receive the Quaterly Progress Report for the 2024-25 financial year which includes Quarterly Budget Review Statements (QBRS); Financial Sustainability Program Status Report; Delivery Program 2022-26 and Operational Plan Report 2024-25; Grants Status Summary, and Councillor Expenses Report.

Council is proposing to revise the consolidated full year operating budget by a net favourable movement of $0.6M across General, Water and Sewer Funds. This will take the current full year budgeted operating result surplus of $1.4M to a surplus of $2.0M (excluding capital grants).

Council has provided a comprehensive summary of the status of council's corporate performance at the conclusion of the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year, being September 2024.

More information on Corporate Performance Reports from Quarter 1 can be found on the Business Papers.

In a separate motion, the Annual Report 2023-24 and the State of our Shire Report 2021-24 will also be presented to council.

The Annual Report provides a summary of council's achievements in implementing the Delivery Program and Operational Plan actions each year and is comprised of three sections - council's achievements; legislative requirements and audited financial statements.

The State of our Shire Report provides an overview of progress made over the previous term of council in implementing the objectives contained within the Community Strategic Plan.

This report should assist the new council to undertake a review of the Community Strategic Plan, which is an essential component of integrated planning and reporting cycle.

Kempsey Airport Feasibility report

The review undertaken has reconfirmed that there is an ongoing need for the Airport to continue to operate to support medical and emergency response in the region, with limited commercial and transport benefits.

While this isn't a great outcome from a financial sustainability perspective, and noting that emergency management is considered a state government responsibility, council has a binding agreement with the federal government to operate Kempsey Airport.

Council also has long term leases with tenants, and, in the absence of other options to run the airport, council is left to manage the Airport for our region.

The Airport requires runway resurfacing to comply with safety standards. At the same time, it is practical to upgrade to energy efficient lighting, improve drainage to prolong runway life, and install a low-cost ambulance shelter.

These upgrades are expected to cost $10.9 million. Council will be supported with $5 million Federal grant funding.

Council will continue to apply for additional grant funding, including through round 3 of the Disaster Ready Fund, and to advocate the State Government to provide additional funding to operate Kempsey Airport.

Community Grants Program

Council will propose the allocation of funding from Round 1 of the 2024-25 Community Grants Program.

A total of $58,133.85 is to be distributed across 21 successful applicants including Kempsey Shire community, environmental and sporting groups, plus creative and festival funding.

For example, $500 is set to be granted to Gladstone CWA to provide an 'inter-generational read' at Crescent Head Public School.

Lower Macleay Flood Risk Management Plan

Following the 28-day public exhibition, council will seek to adopt the draft Lower Macleay Flood Risk Management Plan and the recommendations.

The plan was developed in consultation with members of the community and outlines priority actions for council to implement through the State Government Floodplain Management Program (FMP).

The agenda for tomorrow's council meeting also includes a development control plan in relation to aYarrahapinni land release; Killick Creek foreshoe inclusion to the Crescent Head Community Advisory Group; a membership update for the Northern Regional Planning Panel; fees and charges in relation to Electric Vehicles; acouncil issued fines to property owner in relation to a fire in South Kempsey, among other items.

Those interested can sit in the public gallery during the meeting which commences at 9am at Council Chambers on Tozer Street, West Kempsey or watch online via council's Youtube channel.