Draft Integrated Planning and Reporting plans
Consultation has concluded
Submissions have now closed. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback. Your comments will be considered in the final documents.
Overview
The draft budget for 2020-2021 maintains infrastructure spending, recognises organisational efficiency gains and acknowledges the impact of January bushfires and COVID-19.
“As part of the 2020-2021 Operational Plan, staff have put forward a responsible budget for community feedback that retains service levels to the community, delivers programs to support the local economy and maintains our infrastructure,” said Snowy Valleys Council Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Hyde.
The implementation of a new organisational structure and the delivery of efficiencies as part of Council’s Sustainability Plan has delivered an improvement of over $2m to Council’s operating position since the Quarter 1 2019 Review and minimised the impact of annual award and industry increases to the bottom line.
“Council is one of the largest employers in our community, so as a result we play a big role in the local economy,” said Mr Hyde.
“It is incredibly pleasing to deliver a draft budget that recognises organisational efficiency gains and includes 12 new positions for trainees and apprentices that will provide additional local employment opportunities.”
One of the biggest ticket items in the draft budget is the capital works program. Totalling over $18.5M, it reflects Council’s recent success in securing capital grants and maintains expenditure on roads and the transport network.
“The capital budget includes $8.8M in upgrades to the roads and transport network, and importantly for our community still recovering from economic impacts of bushfire and COVID-19, will inject spending in the local community through the retention of skilled staff and purchase of materials and supplies,” continued Mr Hyde.
“Council has had to develop the draft budget at a time when the impacts of the bushfire and COVID-19 were still being revealed. As a result, we are foreshadowing changes to the budget may need to be made throughout the year as Council meets new challenges and assesses new opportunities to support the community.”
We invite you to have your say on our newly drafted Integrated Planning and Reporting plans by using the feedback form below . Submissions close at 5pm on 25 June 2020
Draft 2020-2021 Operational Plan
The draft Operational Plan 2020-2021 supports the Delivery Program 2018-2021 and specifies the actions of Council’s key functional and operational areas that will be conducted in the coming year, funded through the 2020-2021 budget. The draft Operational Plan has been developed by Council staff in conjunction with Councillors during the time where the ongoing impact of bushfire and COVID-19 on Council’s budget and resources for 2020-2021 was not yet fully known. As a result, it is anticipated that throughout 2020-2021, Council will be required to assess the need for changes to budget allocation and priorities for action in response to the evolving community and organisational impacts of the bushfire and COVID-19.
Draft 2020-2021 Revenue Policy
Snowy Valleys Council is committed to a user-pay principle and will recover the full cost of services provided, unless the cost of the service is controlled by another authority or where a community service obligation is clearly identified.
Draft 2020-2021 Fees and Charges Schedule
The draft Fees and Charges 2020-2021 schedule sets out the fees that Council can charge for all services and programs. The draft Fees and Charges 2020-2021 Schedule has been prepared using a general 2.5% increase. During preparation of this year’s Fees and Charges, a number of changes have been made to further simplify and streamline fees and charges across the whole local government area. This includes harmonised fees across all Council cemeteries to simplify processes and to sustainably fund cemetery operations and ongoing maintenance. Council also proposes to discard all credit card surcharges to facilitate online and over-the-phone payments
Draft 2020-2021 Operational Budget
The 2020-2021 draft budget outlines Council’s committed expenditure for the forthcoming financial year.
This budget iteration reflects Council’s ongoing commitment to sound financial management. The forecast for the 2020-2021 financial year shows an improved overall position compared to the Long Term Financial Plan adopted last year.
Highlights include:
- $2M improvement in operating position from Q1 2019
- $3.3M to deliver Food and Organics Recycling Project
- $1.1M for civic works for Snow Views Estate Stage 3
- $1.4M for Water renewal works, including $800K to renew the Tumbarumba Water Treatment Plant Dam Wall
- $550K to replace Tintaldra Culvert Bridge and Withers Bridge.
The draft Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) is an important part of Council’s strategic planning process. The LTFP is where Council projects the financial realities of its ability to contribute to the community’s vision for the future. It outlines the pressures and economic drivers behind Council’s expected long-term future. The LTFP must be for a minimum of 10 years and is updated annually in line with Council strategies and goals and is based on the operational budget contained within the operational plan for 2020-2021.
The planned scenario aims to deliver Council’s goals as set out in the Integrated Planning and Reporting documents. In this scenario, Council will endeavour to maintain existing service levels, hold a strong cash position and maintain sufficient reserves.The goals of the Snowy Valleys Council LTFP are to achieve the following:
- Modest operating surpluses to insulate Council from unforeseen events;
- The provision of current service levels and, where appropriate and affordable, increased service levels to meet community expectations;
- ·Maintain adequate levels of debt/equity funding;
- ·A program of activity that see Council’s assets appropriately leveraged for the longterm benefit of the Snowy Valley community;
- ·Ensure appropriate levels of cash reserves are maintained for future projects and asset renewal management;
- ·Ensure appropriate investment in the maintenance of assets.
Important information regarding your submission
Written submissions may be attached to the public report that is submitted to Council, unless you explicitly request you do not wish this to occur. They are subject to the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 and the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (PIPPA).
