Mayor Keith Campbell - Governance & Communication Portfolio Report - 13 June 2018

Budget 2018/2019 preparations

Over the past 6 months, Council has been reviewing and analyzing data as part of the preparation of the 2018/2019 budget. Our task, as a regional local government is to provide community essential services in an economically responsible manner.  As we are all aware, essential services are not limited to waste management, road maintenance and water treatment but include every service that Council is compelled to deliver under legislation.  These services range from town planning and environmental health management through to services that add to the social fabric of our community such as libraries and open spaces for play. 

In the preparation of this budget particularly, Council has been faced with the hard facts around what we can afford compared to what we have been delivering for the past 10 years.  As per the Local Government Act 2009, last week I presented to the Councillors the proposed 2018/2019 budget for their final consideration prior to the budget adoption later this month.  We know this budget will not be easy for anyone but we also know this budget is necessary to enable Council to be financially responsible on behalf of our ratepayers.

Belcarra Report and Council’s Commitment

Last month, as a result of the recommendations from the Crime and Conduct Commission’s Belcarra Report, the Queensland Parliament passed two (2) pieces of legislation of great importance to our local government.

Amongst the changes is the change to the rules around how Council makes decisions including how we manage conflicts of interest.  Within the next SIX (6) months, the State Government will be providing Councils in Queensland with model documents including meeting standing orders and a Councillors code of conduct.

Today, Council is taking proactive steps towards the changes to be imposed on Queensland Councils.  We have revised our Councillor Code of Conduct, Media Relations Policy and Portfolio Representative Policy to ensure that Councillors have the framework to support them in performing their duties in a transparent and effective way.  As Councillors we are to make sure that we undertake democratic representation, social inclusion and meaningful community engagement informing our decision making in the public interest.  To achieve this we must have strong policies around these principles.  I understand that further changes will be necessary once the State Government has prepared the model documents however today when we consider the newly revised policies we are taking the necessary steps in governance to demonstrate our commitment to the legislated principles of local government.