Agenda of Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Agenda (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 4

20/10/2020

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting (Open Portion) held Tuesday, 20 October 2020 at 4:30 pm.

This meeting of the Finance and Governance Committee is held in accordance with a Notice issued by the Premier on 3 April 2020 under section 18 of the COVID-19 Disease Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Zucco (Chairman)

Deputy Lord Mayor Burnet

Sexton

Thomas

Coats

NON-MEMBERS

Lord Mayor Reynolds

Briscoe

Harvey

Behrakis

Dutta

Sherlock

Ewin

Apologies:

Leave of Absence: Nil.

1. Co-Option of a Committee Member in the event of a vacancy

2. Confirmation of Minutes

The minutes of the Open Portion of the Finance and Governance Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, are submitted for confirming as an accurate record.

3. Consideration of Supplementary Items

Ref: Part 2, Regulation 8(6) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

Recommendation

That the Committee resolve to deal with any supplementary items not appearing on the agenda, as reported by the General Manager.

4. Indications of Pecuniary and Conflicts of Interest

Ref: Part 2, Regulation 8(7) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

Members of the Committee are requested to indicate where they may have any pecuniary or conflict of interest in respect to any matter appearing on the agenda, or any supplementary item to the agenda, which the Committee has resolved to deal with.

5. Transfer of Agenda Items

Regulation 15 of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

A Committee may close a part of a meeting to the public where a matter to be discussed falls within 15(2) of the above regulations.

In the event that the Committee transfer an item to the closed portion, the reasons for doing so should be stated.

Are there any items which should be transferred from this agenda to the closed portion of the agenda, or from the closed to the open portion of the agenda?

Item No. 6.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 8

20/10/2020

Memorandum: Finance and Governance Committee

2020 Meeting Schedule Proposed Changes

The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval to make some minor changes to the 2020 Council and Committee Meeting Schedule for December 2020.

The approved meeting schedule has the last City Planning Committee meeting occurring on Monday 7 December (one week after the previous meeting) and the last Council meeting for the year occurring on Monday 14 December 2020.

It is now recommend that one City Planning Committee meeting and one Council be moved and an additional Council meeting be scheduled as follows;

Meeting	Current Date	New Proposed Date
Council	-	Monday 7 December 2020
City Planning Committee	Monday 7 December 2020	Monday 14 December 2020
Council	Monday 14 December 2020	Thursday 17 December 2020

This change retains the fortnightly meeting cycle of both the Council and the City Planning Committee.

As well as allowing the Council to break for Christmas at a time consistent with the previous year, it also provides for some smoothing of the agenda for the last Council meeting of the year by balancing items between two Council meetings in December.

Holding the last Council meeting on Thursday 17 December would require recommendations from the Monday City Planning Committee meeting to be issued under separate cover on Tuesday 15 December 2020, however holding the Council meeting on this date rather than the following Monday, provides greater time for officers to action Council resolutions prior to Christmas, where required. It should also be noted that, unlike previous years, the City will be closing its operations between Christmas and the New Year.

If adopted, and in accordance with Regulation 7(4) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulation 2015, these changes will be advertised in the Mercury as soon as possible and also published on the City of Hobart website.

REcommendation

That the following changes to the 2020 Council and Committee Meeting Schedule be adopted:

1. An additional ordinary Council Meeting be scheduled on Monday 7 December 2020.

2. The City Planning Committee meeting scheduled to occur on Monday 7 December 2020 be moved to Monday 14 December 2020.

3. The ordinary Council meeting scheduled to occur on Monday 14 December 2020 be moved to Thursday 17 December 2020.

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

N D Heath

General Manager

Date: 15 October 2020

File Reference: F20/109878

Attachment a: Proposed Amended 2020 Council and Committee Meeting Schedule ⇩

Item No. 6.2

Agenda (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 13

20/10/2020

REPORT TITLE: Proposed 2021 Council and Committee Meeting Schedule and Temporary City Planning Committee Delegation

REPORT PROVIDED BY: General Manager

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. The purpose of this report is to consider the Council and Committee meeting schedule for 2021.

2. Report Summary

2.1. A schedule is compiled annually which outlines the meeting dates for Council and Council Committees and is submitted to the Council for adoption.

2.2. Historically, the meeting schedule has been prepared using an approach which is based around a monthly meeting cycle which includes two Council and City Planning Committee meetings and one meeting of each of the other Council Committees.

2.3. In keeping with the 2020 schedule, the 2021 schedule commences in the second week of January with the three week cycles being aligned with school holidays. Specifically the first week of the April school holidays, the second week of the July school holidays and the first week of the September school holidays.

2.3.1. It should be noted that due to public holidays, there is one occurrence of the Council meeting being held on a Wednesday (after Australia Day public holiday on the Tuesday), two occurrences of the Council meeting begin held on a Tuesday (after Regatta Day and Eight Hour Day public holidays) and one occurrence of the Council meeting being held on a Thursday as the last meeting in December.

2.4. As Easter (Friday 2 April – Tuesday 6 April) falls in the week preceding the commencement of the April school holidays (Monday 10 April), a four week cycle has been scheduled extending the break from meetings from one week to two weeks at this time.

2.4.1. The Council meeting has been scheduled a week earlier in the cycle on Wednesday 31 March rather than Wednesday 7 April directly after Easter Tuesday. This means there will be one day between the City Planning Committee (CPC) meeting and the Council meeting which will require CPC items to be distributed under separate cover the day before the Council meeting. Although this is a tight timeframe, it does provide the Council will an extended break from meetings over Easter and the first week of the school holidays.

2.5. Council Workshops have been scheduled every four weeks on a Tuesday.

2.5.1. With the successful adoption of a virtual meeting platform as a result of COVID-19, officers are keen to continue to use this tool in the delivery of briefings and workshops, where appropriate, as this offers a greater degree of flexibility in scheduling and the commitment that physical attendance requires, which would be beneficial to elected members.

2.6. In the event that any urgent business arises which cannot be accommodated within the proposed meeting schedule, special meetings will be convened as required.

2.7. It should be noted that the Council still has an open resolution to give consideration to aligning the committee structure to the City’s Vision, which was approved by Council in July 2018 and is due to be considered in November 2020. If the result of this process requires changes to the meeting schedule adopted as a result of this report, this will be accommodated at the appropriate time.

2.8. Formalising a meeting schedule now, provides the community and elected members with a preliminary calendar for the conduct of Council business in the interim period.

2.9. In accordance with Regulation 7(2) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulation 2015, the Council’s adopted meeting schedule will be advertised in the Mercury in early January and also published on the City of Hobart website.

2.10. It is also recommended that the Council provide a delegation to the City Planning Committee, consistent with the delegation provided in prior years, to enable planning applications to be approved during the Christmas period.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The Council adopted the 2021 Council and Council Committee meeting schedule, marked as Attached A to the report.

2. In the event that any urgent matters arise which cannot be accommodated within the 2021 meeting schedule option, special meetings be convened as required.

3. The City Planning Committee be provided with the following delegation in order to facilitate the processing of planning permit applications during the Christmas period:

(i) To determine all planning permit applications which would otherwise be determined by the Council, after the last ordinary scheduled Council meeting in December 2020 and the first ordinary scheduled Council meeting in January 2021, in circumstances where it would not otherwise be possible to determine the application within the statutory time period required under Sections 57(6), 57(6A), 58(2) or 58(2A) of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993, and an extension of time cannot be obtained, unless an Elected Member has requested the convening of a special meeting or meetings to determine the application and there is sufficient time to arrange a special meeting prior to the expiry of the statutory time period required under those sections.

4. Delegation

4.1. This matter is delegated to the Council.

N D Heath

General Manager

Date: 15 October 2020

File Reference: F20/94971

Attachment a: Proposed 2021 Council and Committee Meeting Schedule ⇩

Item No. 6.3

Agenda (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 18

20/10/2020

REPORT TITLE: City of Hobart Local Preference Procurement Policy

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Manager Rates, Procurement and Finance Operations

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. The purpose of this report is to present the draft City of Hobart Local Preference Procurement Policy to the Council for formal adoption.

1.2. The community benefit is the fostering of economic development in the City by maximising participation of local business and industry in the City’s procurement processes for the benefit of local communities.

2. Report Summary

2.1. At its meeting on 10 August 2020, the Council resolved, in response to a Notice of Motion (NoM) from Alderman Zucco, that:

2.1.1. A report be prepared for the Hobart City Council (HCC) to consider developing a policy whereby all future contracts, consultants and other major HCC expenditures to be from Tasmanian based business for a period of two years.

2.2. At its 10 August 2020 meeting, in response to the NoM, the following information from the General Manager was received and noted:

2.2.1. The Local Government Act 1993 requires the City to promote the procurement principle of enhancement of the capabilities of local business and industry.

2.2.2. Section 3.4 of the City of Hobart Code for Tenders and Contracts states that:

2.2.2.1. Enhancement of the capabilities of local business and industry means where local capacity exists, actively seeking to engage the local market and encourage their participation in Tender and Quotation processes, through:

2.2.2.2. Actively seeking quotes from local businesses and industry;

2.2.2.3. Where local capability exists, ensuring that the discretionary elements of Specifications do not prevent local businesses and industry from competing.

2.2.3. The City actively adopts this procurement principle in all procurements it undertakes – actively encouraging the development of competitive local business and industry.

2.2.4. Staff, through procurement policies and procedures and training, are aware of this procurement principle.

2.2.5. The City currently has a high percentage of its spend under Contract arising from a public tender process – conducted in line with the procurement principle of enhancement of the capabilities of local business and industry.

2.2.6. Approximately 98% of the City’s Contracts [with a contract value over $100,000] are held by local businesses – with local business defined as locally owned, operated or employ staff who live locally.

2.2.7. The City is currently considering a ‘Buy Local Procurement Policy’ to foster economic development in the City by maximising participation of local business and industry in the City’s procurement processes.

2.3. A draft City of Hobart Local Preference Procurement Policy (the Policy) is attached for the consideration of the Council – refer Attachment A.

2.4. It is recognised that there is a positive economic impact on the local economy through increased use of local suppliers. The Policy encourages and supports local procurement, which in turn will stimulate the local economy and local employment opportunities.

2.5. Under the Policy, quotations for goods, services or works with a contract value less than $100,000 are to be sought from local business and industry in line with the City’s procurement thresholds where local capability and capacity exists.

2.6. For procurements with a contract value of $100,000 or over, a local benefit evaluation criteria will be used with a minimum weighting of 10% where the offer is able to demonstrate social and economic benefits.

2.7. In its day-to-day operations the City procures goods, services and works from suppliers outside of the local area where they cannot be supplied or performed by local business or where to do so would not achieve value for money for the City. Therefore, the Policy balances the social and economic benefits of local supply with the need to ensure the City engages suppliers that are capable of meeting the City’s requirements, have capacity to supply and the procurement will ultimately achieve value for money for the City.

2.8. The Policy is consistent with the City of Hobart Capital City Strategic Plan 2019-2029, specifically:

2.8.1. Strategy 4.1.1 Identify and support Hobart’s niche industries, which reflect the geography, climate, places or particular skills found in Tasmania.

2.8.2. Strategy 4.1.6 Support local businesses and enterprises working to find innovative solutions to significant challenges.

2.8.3. Strategy 4.2.1 Support ways of welcoming people of all backgrounds to participate in Hobart’s economy and professional communities.

2.8.4. Strategy 4.2.2 Promote Hobart as an innovative hub for remote workers, sole traders and nice small businesses.

2.8.5. Strategy 4.3.2 Actively support and engage with local area businesses, business groups and other business networks.

2.8.6. Strategy 4.4.1 Create opportunities for businesses to engage with the City.

2.8.7. Strategy 4.4.2 Support and engage with new and emerging entrepreneurs.

2.8.8. Strategy 8.5.4 Delivery best value for money through strategic procurement decision-making.

2.9. It is proposed that Council approve the City of Hobart Local Preference Procurement Policy.

2.10. If approved it is proposed that the new policy be widely communicated to Council officers and made available from the City’s website.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The report ‘City of Hobart Local Preference Procurement Policy’ be received and noted.

2. The Council adopt the City of Hobart Local Preference Procurement Policy.

3. The General Manager be authorised to finalise the City of Hobart Local Preference Procurement Policy and arrange for it to be made available from the City’s website.

4. Delegation

4.1. This matter is delegated to the Council for determination.

Lara MacDonell

Manager Rates, Procurement and Finance Operations

Date: 15 October 2020

File Reference: F20/109161

Attachment a: Draft City of Hobart Local Preference Procurement Policy ⇩

Item No. 6.4

Agenda (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 31

20/10/2020

REPORT TITLE: Annual Review of Investment Portfolio as at 30 September 2020

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Manager Rates, Procurement and Finance Operations

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. The purpose of this report is to provide details of the Council’s current investment portfolio as at 30 September 2020 for the information of Committee.

1.2. The objectives of Council’s investment policy are to maximise the Council’s return on its investments, subject to the satisfaction of the criteria of safety and security, liquidity, and ethical nature.

2. Report Summary

2.1. At its meeting on 21 September 2013, the then Finance and Corporate Services Committee requested a report be provided reviewing the Council’s current loan and investment portfolios, noting the interest rate differential between the two portfolios, with such a review to occur annually.

2.2. At its meeting on 16 June 2020, Committee was presented with the outcomes of an independent review of the City’s loan portfolio conducted by KPMG. A detailed loan portfolio analysis report was provided and KPMG attending the meeting to respond to questions. Therefore this report will consider the City’s investment portfolio only.

2.3. Council funds are invested in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 (Tas) and the Council Policy – Investment of Council Funds (the Policy) – refer Attachment A. It is noted that the City’s Heritage Fund and transactional funds are excluded from the scope of the Policy.

2.4. At its meeting on 19 December 2017, Council resolved to divest from financial institutions who support the fossil fuel industry. The background to this decision is as follows:

2.4.1. In response to a petition presented to Council in October 2014, Council amended its investment policy to give higher priority to financial institutions that do not support the fossil fuel industry.

2.4.2. In response to a further petition presented to Council in May 2016, Council resolved to undertake a detailed external review of its investment approach, with Council’s approach to ethical investments and borrowings to form part of that review.

2.4.3. Macquarie Wealth Management was appointed to conduct this review, which involved workshops and surveys to obtain Elected Member views about particular investment and borrowing issues.

2.4.4. Based on the feedback received, the Council resolved to amend its Investment of Council Funds Policy to divest from financial institutions who support the fossil fuel industry. This occurred over a period of several months. As investments with financial institutions that supported the fossil fuel industry matured, they were reinvested with authorised deposit-taking institutions that do not support the fossil fuel industry.

2.5. Council’s investment portfolio as at 30 September 2020 comprises one term deposit with a total balance of $0.3 million and an interest rate of 1.5% per annum.

2.6. Council also has funds, totalling $24.3 million, placed At Call.

2.7. During April 2019 the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) offered the City an extremely competitive interest rate on At-Call Funds. After that time there have only been a few instances where the City could obtain a higher interest rate by investing in a term deposit. The majority of the City’s excess funds have therefore been deposited with CBA since that time.

2.8 Low interest rates and COVID-19 have made it difficult to invest funds in accordance with the Council Policy and realise significant returns.

3. Recommendation

That the Finance and Governance Committee receive and note the information contained in the report titled “Annual Review of Investment Portfolio as at 30 September 2020”.

4. Delegation

4.1. This matter is delegated to the Committee.

Lara MacDonell

Manager Rates, Procurement and Finance Operations

Date: 12 October 2020

File Reference: F20/108765

Attachment a: Council Policy - Investment of Council Funds ⇩

Item No. 6.5

Agenda (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 42

20/10/2020

REPORT TITLE: Lease Renewal - South Hobart Community Centre

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Manager Community and Culture

Deputy General Manager

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. The purpose of this report is to consider a request for a lease renewal over the South Hobart Community Centre, 42 D’Arcy Street, South Hobart by the South Hobart Progress Association.

2. Report Summary

2.1. A request has been received from the South Hobart Progress Association (SHPA) to renew its lease over the South Hobart Community Centre.

2.2. The South Hobart Community Centre Inc. (transferred to the South Hobart Progress Association) has successfully managed this facility since 1988 with five further leases being issued over the 32 years.

2.3. The SHPA continues to demonstrate a very strong capacity to manage this multi-purpose facility to a high standard, maximise utilisation and has been very involved with the recent redevelopment.

2.4. The association has also recently developed a new website and booking portal to improve hire accessibility. It is noted that following the recent redevelopment, the facility usage has already doubled and the facility provides participation opportunities for a wide diversity of community users.

2.5. The South Hobart Progress Association is an active group of residents who dedicate many hours of volunteer time to undertake the management of this facility and provide a valued service to the community in managing and maintaining such an important community asset.

2.6. It is recommended that the request for a lease be approved for a three year period, subject to the conditions of the lease being to the approval of the General Manager.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The Council approve a new three (3) year lease to the South Hobart Progress Association for the South Hobart Community Centre, located at 42 D’Arcy Street, South Hobart.

2. The leased area be provided at a nominal annual rent of fifty dollars ($50.00) per annum.

3. The General Manager be authorised to finalise the terms and conditions of the lease.

4. In accordance with the Council Policy ‘Grants and Benefits Disclosure’ the benefit recognised to the South Hobart Progress Association by way of reduced rental as part of the new lease be disclosed in the City of Hobart’s Annual Report.

4. Background

4.1. The South Hobart Community Centre Inc. was granted a lease over the Centre in January 1988 at a nominal rental for a period of five (5) years. This was extended for a further five (5) year period commencing 7 January 1993.

4.2. The lease was assigned to the South Hobart Progress Association in 1995 with the association being granted further leases in 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2015.

4.3. The most recent lease agreement required that the Association be required to pay the service rate applicable to the property and a rental of fifty dollars ($50.00) per annum (+GST).

4.4. Over the first half of 2020 the facility was fully redeveloped into a high quality, multi-purpose building that would be suitable for a wide range of uses.

4.5. The SHPA has been instrumental in the redevelopment process and worked very closely with Council Officers in ensuring a successful community project was delivered.

4.6. The lessee is complying with the conditions of the lease agreement to a very high standard and the facility continues to be well utilised by the community.

4.7. The SHPA is acknowledged as a very active group of residents who dedicate many hours of volunteer time to undertake the management of this facility and provide a valued service to the community in managing and maintaining such an important community asset.

4.7.1. The Association’s most recent annual report is provided at Attachment A to this report.

4.8. The multi-purpose facility is home to a broad range of activities with regular bookings doubling already since the redevelopment. The current bookings are detailed in Attachment C to this report.

4.9. The lease agreement is similar to those in place for a number of community organisations where minimal rent is paid, ($50 per annum), with operational management and maintenance responsibilities for the internal areas of the facility being undertaken by the lessee.

4.10. Saunders and Pitt was engaged to undertake a market valuation of the facility following the recent redevelopment. The market rental value for the building determined by the valuer is $19,650 (GST exclusive) per annum.

4.10.1. The valuation is provided at Attachment B to this report.

4.11. A benefit of $19,600 per annum would be noted in the Annual Report in accordance with the Council’s policy in respect to grants and benefits disclosure.

4.12. It is proposed that the request for a new lease agreement be approved with conditions to be determined by the General Manager.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. It is proposed that the Council approve a new three (3) year lease to the South Hobart Progress Association for the South Hobart Community Centre, located at 42 D’Arcy Street, South Hobart.

5.2. The leased area be provided at a nominal annual rent of fifty dollars ($50) per annum.

5.3. The General Manager be authorised to finalise the terms and conditions of the lease.

5.4. In accordance with the Council Policy ‘Grants and Benefits Disclosure’ the benefit recognised to the South Hobart Progress Association by way of reduced rental as part of the new lease be disclosed in the City’s Annual Report.

5.5. Subject to Council approval, the Council’s Legal and Governance Unit would develop a new lease agreement for signing by both parties.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. This proposal is consistent with the Capital City Strategic Plan 2019-29, particularly:

Objective 2.2.1 - Support people from all backgrounds and life experiences to participate in Hobart life

Objective 2.2.3 - Provide and support activities and programs that celebrate diversity to reduce social isolation and build social cohesion

Objective 2.2.6 - Identify those people in the community who are most disadvantaged, excluded and vulnerable and develop appropriate initiatives to address their issues, in partnership with stakeholders

Objective 2.2.7 - Ensure all community members have the opportunity and capacity to access City of Hobart information, services and programs

Objective 2.3.1 - Provide and progressively enhance a range of quality places and facilities where people can enjoy education, recreation, socialising, healthy living and other activities and events

Objective 2.4.6 - Deliver and support initiatives, activities and programs that build community resilience, wellbeing and safety

Objective 3.3.5 - Support community participation in creative and cultural pursuits, as hobbyists and as emerging and professional practitioners.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. The annual market rental valuation of the South Hobart Community Centre facility is $19,650.

7.1.2. The value of the reduced rental ($19,600) will be recorded in the City’s Annual Report in accordance with the Council Policy Grants and Benefits Disclosure.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. This proposal would not impact on the future years financial year result.

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. This proposal continues the existing asset management and maintenance arrangements.

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. The new lease agreement would be developed by the Council’s Legal and Governance officers.

8.2. Any lease agreement will require the lessee to hold public liability insurance for the full term of the lease.

9. Social and Customer Considerations

9.1. The recently upgraded South Hobart Community Hall provides a multipurpose community facility that is accessible to a wide range of community members. There are a large number of community groups that regularly use the facility for a wide range of recreational and community based programs.

9.2. The SHPA manage the facility on behalf of the community and have demonstrated a very high capacity to be able to continue to undertake this role into the future.

9.2.1. It is noted that with the facility redevelopment the facility bookings for regular hirers has already doubled.

9.2.2. The new on-line booking system has also improved accessibility and will be provide a greater opportunity for the community to access this facility.

9.3. These activities are fully detailed in Attachment C to this report. Further activities including some casual bookings can be found on the “What’s on” section of the newly developed website https://www.southhobart.org.au/whats-centre

9.4. The South Hobart Progress Association is an active group of residents who dedicate many hours of volunteer time to undertake the management of this facility.

10. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

10.1. In the preparation of this report consultation has taken place with the Manager Legal and Governance, Legal Services Officer, Community Development Officer – Access & Facilities and members of the South Hobart Progress Association.

11. Delegation

11.1. This matter is delegated to the Committee for determination.

Kimbra Parker

Manager Community and Culture

tims short

Tim Short

Deputy General Manager

Date: 15 October 2020

File Reference: F20/108097; 17/80

Attachment a: South Hobart Progress Association Annual Report 2019 ⇩

Attachment b: Market Rental Valuation - South Hobart Community Centre, 42 D'Arcy Street, South Hobart ⇩

Attachment c: Current Usage of the South Hobart Community Hall - October 2020 ⇩

Item No. 7.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 71

20/10/2020

7. Motions of which Notice has been Given

7.1 Investigation of Asset Holdings

File Ref: F20/103360; 13-1-9

Alderman Thomas

Motion:

“The General Manager be requested to complete an analysis of possible asset sales and/or the potential to allow council assets of all types to provide support as collateral security to reduce debt levels without having to sell the assets for consideration by the Council when developing a post COVID-19 recovery and resilience plan.”

Rationale:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council experienced significant challenges to the financial sustainability of the Council. The forecast loss from all areas of operations in the financial year 2020 is estimated at a 12 million dollar loss.

It is important that as part of the ongoing strategies to recover from the pandemic that all realistic options are considered by the Council. One of these ought to include

1. The consideration of disposing of the City’s underutilised assets.

2. Consideration of the market mechanisms which provide possible flexible funding options for council’s balance sheet through utilising council’s asset portfolio to generate funding without selling or relinquishing control of the assets.

It is appreciated that this can be an issue approached with some trepidation by elected members which requires balancing the retention of required assets and possible unknown future circumstances against the benefits that disposal might provide in the ‘here and now’.

As an alternative to the disposal of assets, there may be options around restructuring the ownership model or using the assets portfolio to provide a better return for ratepayers.

For some years now governments around Australia including government owned corporations have entered into debt funding models which all require appropriate probity and transparency.

The assets portfolio encompasses all council owned infrastructure, including real property holdings.

The General Manager advises:

“A recovery and resilience plan is being developed as part of the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will include consideration of the strategies for the future of the City’s assets.”

Item No. 9.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 84

20/10/2020

Memorandum: Lord Mayor

Deputy Lord Mayor

Elected Members

Response to Question Without Notice

Housing Affordability and Appropriate Policy

Meeting: Finance and Governance Committee

Meeting date: 15 September 2020

Raised by: Alderman Behrakis

Question:

Could the General Manager please advise if the Council has considered and/or adopted policies in relation to homelessness and/or housing affordability prior to 2019?

Response:

The Council at its meeting on 22 February 2016 endorsed the Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2016-2019 (copy attached). This strategy provides the City of Hobart with a framework for the organisation to make informed and strategically beneficial decisions in relation to housing and homelessness.

This strategy is currently under review with a memorandum providing an update on the review process to be included on the Community Culture and Events Committee agenda for 29 October 2020.

Tim Short

Deputy General Manager

Date: 13 October 2020

File Reference: F20/102998; 13-1-10

Attachment a: City of Hobart Housing and Homelessness Strategy 2016-19 ⇩

Agenda (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 117

20/10/2020

10. Questions Without Notice

Section 29 of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

File Ref: 13-1-10

An Elected Member may ask a question without notice of the Chairman, another Elected Member, the General Manager or the General Manager’s representative, in line with the following procedures:

1. The Chairman will refuse to accept a question without notice if it does not relate to the Terms of Reference of the Council committee at which it is asked.

2. In putting a question without notice, an Elected Member must not:

(i) offer an argument or opinion; or

(ii) draw any inferences or make any imputations – except so far as may be necessary to explain the question.

3. The Chairman must not permit any debate of a question without notice or its answer.

4. The Chairman, Elected Members, General Manager or General Manager’s representative who is asked a question may decline to answer the question, if in the opinion of the respondent it is considered inappropriate due to its being unclear, insulting or improper.

5. The Chairman may require a question to be put in writing.

6. Where a question without notice is asked and answered at a meeting, both the question and the response will be recorded in the minutes of that meeting.

7. Where a response is not able to be provided at the meeting, the question will be taken on notice and

(i) the minutes of the meeting at which the question is asked will record the question and the fact that it has been taken on notice.

(ii) a written response will be provided to all Elected Members, at the appropriate time.

(iii) upon the answer to the question being circulated to Elected Members, both the question and the answer will be listed on the agenda for the next available ordinary meeting of the committee at which it was asked, where it will be listed for noting purposes only.

Agenda (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 118

20/10/2020

11. Closed Portion Of The Meeting

RECOMMENDATION

That the Committee resolve by majority that the meeting be closed to the public pursuant to regulation 15(1) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015 because the items included on the closed agenda contain the following matters:

· Contract Extension;

· Information of a personal and confidential nature; and

· Financial Hardship.

The following items are listed for discussion:-

Item No. 1 Minutes of the last meeting of the Closed Portion of the Committee Meeting

Item No. 2 Consideration of supplementary items to the agenda

Item No. 3 Indications of pecuniary and conflicts of interest

Item No. 4 Reports

Item No. 4.1 Contract Extension - Provision of GIS Products

LG(MP)R 15(2)(d)

Item No. 4.2 Remissions of Rates and Charges Granted

LG(MP)R 15(2)(g)

Item No. 4.3 Financial Hardship - Rates Remission Request

LG(MP)R 15(2)(j)

Item No. 5 Committee Action Status Report

Item No. 5.1 Committee Actions - Status Report

LG(MP)R 15(2)(b), (c)(i), (c)(ii), (d), (f), (g), (i) and (j)

Item No. 6 Responses to Questions Without Notice

Item No. 6.1 Air B&B - Rates Remission Requests

LG(MP)R 15(2)(j)

Item No. 7 Questions Without Notice

People	We care about people – our community, our customers and colleagues.
Teamwork	We collaborate both within the organisation and with external stakeholders drawing on skills and expertise for the benefit of our community.
Focus and Direction	We have clear goals and plans to achieve sustainable social, environmental and economic outcomes for the Hobart community.
Creativity and Innovation	We embrace new approaches and continuously improve to achieve better outcomes for our community.
Accountability	We are transparent, work to high ethical and professional standards and are accountable for delivering outcomes for our community.