Minutes (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 2

21/6/2022

Minutes (Open Portion)

Finance and Governance Committee Meeting

Page 3

21/06/2022

AYES

NOES

Zucco

Deputy Lord Mayor Burnet

Sexton

Thomas

THOMAS

The minutes of the Open Portion of the Finance and Governance Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 24 May 2022 and the Special Finance and Governance Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 14 June 2022, be confirmed as an accurate record.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

6.1      Budget Estimates 2022-23

SEXTON

That the recommendation contained in the report of the Manager Rates, Procurement and Finance Operations, Chief Financial Officer and the Acting Director City Enablers of 17 June 2022, be adopted, as amended with a revised clause 2 and 3 to read as follows:

“2.     New borrowings of $1.5 million to be further considered if required for the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre upgrade.

  3.    The Council delegate to the Chief Executive Officer the power to enter into loan agreements to source the above borrowings if required on the most favourable terms.”

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COMMITTEE RESOLUTION:

That:   1.    The expenses, revenues, capital expenditure, and plant and equipment expenditure detailed in the document ‘City of Hobart Budget Estimates 2022-23 Financial Year’, marked as Attachment A to item 6.1 of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022, be approved.

            2.    New borrowings of $1.5 million to be further considered if required for the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre upgrade.

            3.    The Council delegate to the Chief Executive Officer the power to enter into loan agreements to source the above borrowings if required on the most favourable terms.

            4.    The City of Hobart Rates Resolution 2022-23, marked as Attachment C to item 6.1 of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022, be adopted as follows:

(i)    Pursuant to s.90 of the Local Government Act 1993, a General Rate of 10.50471 cents in the dollar of Assessed Annual Value (AAV) be made. 

(ii)   Pursuant to s.88A of the Local Government Act 1993 the Council by absolute majority sets a maximum percentage increase cap on the general rate (as previously made) at 2.6% where that increase has occurred as a result of municipal revaluation undertaken in accordance with s.20 of the Valuation of Land Act 2001.

(iii)  Pursuant to s.88A(1)(b) and s.107 of the Local Government Act 1993 the Council by absolute majority declares that the maximum percentage increase cap on the general rate referred to at 4(i) above is varied to 1.6% for all land which is used or predominately used for commercial purposes.

(iv)  Pursuant to s.88A(2)(b) of the Local Government Act 1993 the Council by absolute majority fixes the condition that to qualify for the maximum percentage increase cap (as previously made and varied above) the rateable land must not be subject to a supplementary valuation used by the Valuer-General during the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

(v)   Pursuant to s.93A of the Local Government Act 1993 and the provisions of the Fire Service Act 1979 (as amended) the Council makes the following rates for land within the municipal area:

a)    A permanent brigade district fire rate of 1.04486 cents in the dollar of AAV subject to a minimum amount of $44 in respect of all rateable land within the permanent brigade rating district.

b)    A Fern Tree volunteer brigade district fire rate of 0.28 cents in the dollar of AAV subject to a minimum amount of $44 in respect of all rateable land within the Fern Tree volunteer brigade rating district.

c)    A general land fire rate of 0.25 cents in the dollar of AAV subject to a minimum amount of $44 in respect of all rateable land within the municipal area which is not within the permanent brigade rating district or the Fern Tree volunteer brigade rating district. 

(vi)  Pursuant to s.107 of the Local Government Act 1993 Council declares by absolute majority that the permanent brigade district fire rate is varied within the permanent brigade rating district according to the use or predominant use of land, as follows:

a)    for land used for commercial purposes, vary the permanent brigade district fire rate to 1.30 cents in the dollar of AAV.

b)    for land used for industrial purposes, vary the permanent brigade district fire rate to 0.99 cents in the dollar of AAV.

c)    for land used for primary production purposes, vary the permanent brigade district fire rate to 0.94 cents in the dollar of AAV.

d)    for land used for public enterprise purposes, vary the permanent brigade district fire rate to 1.46 cents in the dollar of AAV.

e)    for land used for residential purposes, vary the permanent brigade district fire rate to 0.89 cents in the dollar of AAV.

f)     for land used for sporting or recreation facilities, vary the permanent brigade district fire rate to 0.54 cents in the dollar of AAV.

g)    for non-use of the land, vary the permanent brigade district fire rate to 0.82 cents in the dollar of AAV.

(vii)   A Waste Management Service Charge be made and varied according to the use or predominant use of land as follows:

a)    A Service charge of $260 to apply to residential properties; and

b)    A Service charge of $520 to apply to non-residential properties.

(viii)  A Waste Management Service Charge of $65 be made for kerbside food organics garden organics waste collection for all rateable land within the municipal area to which Council supplies or makes available a food organics garden organics waste collection service fortnightly utilising a food organics garden organics waste collection bin.

(ix)    Pursuant to s.94 of the Local Government Act 1993, a Waste Management Service Charge for food organics garden organics collection be made in the sum of $150.00 for all rateable land within the municipal area to which Council supplies or makes available a food organics garden organics waste collection service weekly utilising a food organics garden organics collection bin

(x)     Pursuant to s.94 of the Local Government Act 1993, a service charge be made for waste management services to offset a levy payable by the Council to the State Government under the Waste and Resource Recovery Act 2022 (a Waste Management Levy Offset Service Charge) and varied according to the use or predominant use of land as follows:

a)    A Service charge of $10 to apply to residential properties; and

b)    A Service charge of $20 to apply to non-residential properties.

            5.    The penalty on unpaid rates be 3 per cent of the amount. 

            6.    The interest rate on unpaid rates be 8.13 per cent per annum, charged monthly.

            7.    Unspent 2021-22 capital funding be carried-forward into 2022-23, with any necessary adjustments to be made in the September 2022 quarter financial report to the Council.

            8.    The 2022-23 Annual Plan, marked as Attachment D to item 6.1 of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022 be adopted.

            9.    The Long Term Financial Management plan 2023-32, marked as Attachment B to item 6.1 of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June be adopted.

            10.  The following delegations be approved:

(i)      Pursuant to Section 22 of the Local Government Act 1993, the Council delegate to the Chief Executive Officer, being the General Manager as appointed by Council pursuant to section 61 of the Local Government Act 1993 (Tas) the power to expend monies on the Council’s behalf identified as Delegation Classification 1 items in the Council’s Annual Plan 2022-23; and, the Council authorise the Chief Executive Officer to delegate, pursuant Section 64 of the Local Government Act 1993, to such employees of the Council as she considers appropriate, the power to expend monies on the Council’s behalf identified as Delegation Classification 1 items in the Council’s Annual Plan.

(ii)     Pursuant to Section 22 of the Local Government Act 1993, the Council delegate to all the Council Committees the power to expend monies on the Council’s behalf identified as Delegation Classification 2 items in the Council’s Annual Plan 2022-23.

            11.  The Council note that a mid-year review of the 2022-23 Budget Estimates and Long Term Financial Management Plan 2022-32 will be undertaken.

            12.  The Council note that a review of the mechanism adopted to determine future rate increases will be undertaken during the 2022‑23 financial year.

            13.  The Council adopt the amended City of Hobart Rates and Charges policy, marked as Attachment E to item 6.1 of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022.

            14.  The Chief Executive Officer be authorised to finalise the City of Hobart Rates and Charges Policy and arrange for it to be made available to the public in a paper format from the Council’s Customer Service Centre and in an electronic format from Council’s website.

            15.  The Council note the observations of the Risk and Audit Panel as detailed in this report.

6.2      Governance Framework

SEXTON

That the recommendation contained in the report of the Chief Executive Officer of 16 June 2022, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COMMITTEE RESOLUTION:

That the draft Governance Framework marked as Attachment A to item 6.2 of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022, be adopted.

6.3      Amendments to Officer Council Delegations

DEPUTY LORD MAYOR BURNET

That the recommendation contained in the report of the Director City Futures and the Director City Life of 16 June 2022, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COMMITTEE RESOLUTION:

That the Council approve the amendments to the Council Delegations for the Chief Executive Officer, Director City Life, Director City Futures, Manager Urban Futures, Manager Development Appraisal and the Senior Statutory Planner as shown in Attachment A to item 6.3 of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022.

6.4      Response to Notice of Motion - UTAS Move to the City

DEPUTY LORD MAYOR BURNET

That:   1.    The Council notes the officer report regarding the UTAS public meeting motions and questions;

            2.    That attendees of the meeting be thanked, and that information and responses to questions contained in this report and Item 6.4 of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022, be emailed or mailed to those people who registered for the public meeting;

            3.    The relevant institutions and representatives (including UTAS Council Members, and relevant State government representatives) be sent all public meeting motions and the Council’s response to the motions from the public meeting for their information and consideration;

            4.    In response to concerns raised by the public, and the motions from the UTAS public meeting, the following information be collated under a UTAS tab on Council’s website:

a.    the supporting information attachments of Item 6.4 and this report marked as Item 6.5, from the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022;

b.    a timeline diagram outlining the chronology of dates, meetings, announcements, policies and decisions agreed by Council relating to the UTAS proposals since 2009;

c.    information to specifically explain the statutory obligations Council has relating to acting as a planning authority, as well as obligations elected members have to consider development applications without apprehended bias, according to the Local Government Act;

d.    the CEO consider any other communications that might help the public’s understanding of the roles of responsibilities of Council in this matter;

            5.    Council notes that as part of the role as city manager, Council officers engage and discuss plans and city-shaping proposals with all large employers and city stakeholders, including UTAS, in accordance with the City’s strategic, social and economic goals, always in accordance with the law;

            6.    In relation to the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance forum;

a. Council notes that the Governance Forum, established by unanimous resolution of the Council in 2019, has not met since September 2021 and not since the release of the Sandy Bay Master Plan;

b. the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance forum be disbanded;

            7.    On the matter of declaring interest in regard to matters relating to UTAS, elected members continue with the standard practice as set out in the Local Government Act (1993) as per s48(2) and s54 noting that elected members may voluntarily declare and provide additional information if they wish, as deemed appropriate at any time;

            8.    Council notes that a parliamentary inquiry into UTAS is being considered. Should the Council make a submission, then the report marked as Item 6.5 and attachments of Item 6.4, of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022, be considered to form the basis of that submission;

            9.    The Council write to the University requesting it provide permission for the public release of the relevant notes taken from the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance Forum meetings .

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

MOTION

SEXTON

That the following Part B be added to the resolution:

“PART B

That subject to qualified advice the Council make public the relevant report, with appropriate redactions if required, prior to the City Deal being agreed to which was put before a special closed meeting of the Finance and Governance Committee in December 2018.”

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COMMITTEE RESOLUTION:

PART A

That:   1.    The Council notes the officer report regarding the UTAS public meeting motions and questions;

            2.    That attendees of the meeting be thanked, and that information and responses to questions contained in this report and Item 6.4 of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022, be emailed or mailed to those people who registered for the public meeting;

            3.    The relevant institutions and representatives (including UTAS Council Members, and relevant State government representatives) be sent all public meeting motions and the Council’s response to the motions from the public meeting for their information and consideration;

            4.    In response to concerns raised by the public, and the motions from the UTAS public meeting, the following information be collated under a UTAS tab on Council’s website:

a.    the supporting information attachments of Item 6.4 and this report marked as Item 6.5, from the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022;

b.    a timeline diagram outlining the chronology of dates, meetings, announcements, policies and decisions agreed by Council relating to the UTAS proposals since 2009;

c.    information to specifically explain the statutory obligations Council has relating to acting as a planning authority, as well as obligations elected members have to consider development applications without apprehended bias, according to the Local Government Act;

d.    the CEO consider any other communications that might help the public’s understanding of the roles of responsibilities of Council in this matter;

            5.    Council notes that as part of the role as city manager, Council officers engage and discuss plans and city-shaping proposals with all large employers and city stakeholders, including UTAS, in accordance with the City’s strategic, social and economic goals, always in accordance with the law;

            6.    In relation to the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance forum;

a. Council notes that the Governance Forum, established by unanimous resolution of the Council in 2019, has not met since September 2021 and not since the release of the Sandy Bay Master Plan;

b. the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance forum be disbanded;

            7.    On the matter of declaring interest in regard to matters relating to UTAS, elected members continue with the standard practice as set out in the Local Government Act (1993) as per s48(2) and s54 noting that elected members may voluntarily declare and provide additional information if they wish, as deemed appropriate at any time;

            8.    Council notes that a parliamentary inquiry into UTAS is being considered. Should the Council make a submission, then the report marked as Item 6.5 and attachments of Item 6.4, of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022, be considered to form the basis of that submission;

            9.    The Council write to the University requesting it provide permission for the public release of the relevant notes taken from the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance Forum meetings .

PART B

That subject to qualified advice the Council make public the relevant report, with appropriate redactions if required, prior to the City Deal being agreed to which was put before a special closed meeting of the Finance and Governance Committee in December 2018.

Attachments

a    Michael Foster - Deputation Supporting Information ⇨  

6.5      Resolutions from Public Meeting in Response to Save UTas Petition

DEPUTY LORD MAYOR BURNET

That:   1.    The Council notes the officer report regarding the UTAS public meeting motions and questions;

            2.    That attendees of the meeting be thanked, and that information and responses to questions contained in this report and Item 6.4 of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022, be emailed or mailed to those people who registered for the public meeting;

            3.    The relevant institutions and representatives (including UTAS Council Members, and relevant State government representatives) be sent all public meeting motions and the Council’s response to the motions from the public meeting for their information and consideration;

            4.    In response to concerns raised by the public, and the motions from the UTAS public meeting, the following information be collated under a UTAS tab on Council’s website:

a.    the supporting information attachments of Item 6.4 and this report marked as Item 6.5, from the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022;

b.    a timeline diagram outlining the chronology of dates, meetings, announcements, policies and decisions agreed by Council relating to the UTAS proposals since 2009;

c.    information to specifically explain the statutory obligations Council has relating to acting as a planning authority, as well as obligations elected members have to consider development applications without apprehended bias, according to the Local Government Act;

d.    the CEO consider any other communications that might help the public’s understanding of the roles of responsibilities of Council in this matter;

            5.    Council notes that as part of the role as city manager, Council officers engage and discuss plans and city-shaping proposals with all large employers and city stakeholders, including UTAS, in accordance with the City’s strategic, social and economic goals, always in accordance with the law;

            6.    In relation to the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance forum;

a. Council notes that the Governance Forum, established by unanimous resolution of the Council in 2019, has not met since September 2021 and not since the release of the Sandy Bay Master Plan;

b. the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance forum be disbanded;

            7.    On the matter of declaring interest in regard to matters relating to UTAS, elected members continue with the standard practice as set out in the Local Government Act (1993) as per s48(2) and s54 noting that elected members may voluntarily declare and provide additional information if they wish, as deemed appropriate at any time;

            8.    Council notes that a parliamentary inquiry into UTAS is being considered. Should the Council make a submission, then the report marked as Item 6.5 and attachments of Item 6.4, of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022, be considered to form the basis of that submission;

            9.    The Council write to the University requesting it provide permission for the public release of the relevant notes taken from the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance Forum meetings .

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

MOTION

SEXTON

That the following Part B be added to the resolution:

“PART B

That subject to qualified advice the Council make public the relevant report, with appropriate redactions if required, prior to the City Deal being agreed to which was put before a special closed meeting of the Finance and Governance Committee in December 2018.”

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COMMITTEE RESOLUTION:

That:   1.    The Council notes the officer report regarding the UTAS public meeting motions and questions;

            2.    That attendees of the meeting be thanked, and that information and responses to questions contained in this report and Item 6.4 of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022, be emailed or mailed to those people who registered for the public meeting;

            3.    The relevant institutions and representatives (including UTAS Council Members, and relevant State government representatives) be sent all public meeting motions and the Council’s response to the motions from the public meeting for their information and consideration;

            4.    In response to concerns raised by the public, and the motions from the UTAS public meeting, the following information be collated under a UTAS tab on Council’s website:

a.    the supporting information attachments of Item 6.4 and this report marked as Item 6.5, from the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022;

b.    a timeline diagram outlining the chronology of dates, meetings, announcements, policies and decisions agreed by Council relating to the UTAS proposals since 2009;

c.    information to specifically explain the statutory obligations Council has relating to acting as a planning authority, as well as obligations elected members have to consider development applications without apprehended bias, according to the Local Government Act;

d.    the CEO consider any other communications that might help the public’s understanding of the roles of responsibilities of Council in this matter;

            5.    Council notes that as part of the role as city manager, Council officers engage and discuss plans and city-shaping proposals with all large employers and city stakeholders, including UTAS, in accordance with the City’s strategic, social and economic goals, always in accordance with the law;

            6.    In relation to the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance forum;

a. Council notes that the Governance Forum, established by unanimous resolution of the Council in 2019, has not met since September 2021 and not since the release of the Sandy Bay Master Plan;

b. the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance forum be disbanded;

            7.    On the matter of declaring interest in regard to matters relating to UTAS, elected members continue with the standard practice as set out in the Local Government Act (1993) as per s48(2) and s54 noting that elected members may voluntarily declare and provide additional information if they wish, as deemed appropriate at any time;

            8.    Council notes that a parliamentary inquiry into UTAS is being considered. Should the Council make a submission, then the report marked as Item 6.5 and attachments of Item 6.4, of the Open Finance and Governance Committee agenda of 21 June 2022, be considered to form the basis of that submission;

            9.    The Council write to the University requesting it provide permission for the public release of the relevant notes taken from the City of Hobart and UTAS Governance Forum meetings .

PART B

That subject to qualified advice the Council make public the relevant report, with appropriate redactions if required, prior to the City Deal being agreed to which was put before a special closed meeting of the Finance and Governance Committee in December 2018.

7.1      Committee Status Report - OPEN

COATS

That the information be received and noted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

That the information be received and noted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD