Council Minutes - Section C: Notice of Motion - 27 January 2016
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Notice of Motion tabled at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 27 January 2016 which was held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre in City Hall, Little Malop Street, Geelong.
The Local Government Amendment (Fair Go Rates) Act 2015 was enacted in December 2015 and this was followed by the release of “The Fair Go Rates System - Guidance for Councils (2016-17)”.
The Minister for Local Government announced on 22 December 2015 in the Victorian Government Gazette No. S429, that the average rate cap would be 2.5% for all Victorian councils. This announcement was consistent with advice from the department of Treasury and Finance of a forecast CPI movement for 2016-2017 of 2.5%.
Councils Strategic Resource Plan (SRP) assumed Rates and municipal charge revenue for 2016-2017 of $173.0M or a 3.5% increase.
Under section 185E of the Local Government Act, a Council may apply to the Essential Services Commission for a special order specifying a higher cap. It is a requirement that the ESC be advised by 31 January 2016 of Council’s intention to seek approval for a higher cap.
A variation application can then be lodged between 1 February and 31 March 2016 with the ESC committing to consider the application and advising a decision two months from the date of lodgement.
The 2016-2017 budget process has commenced and it is proposed that council give notice of intention to apply for a higher cap
Any request for a higher cap will need to take into account the 2015-2016 Strategic Resource plan forecast rate increase for 2016-2017 of 3.5%, proposed Capital works program and in particular Developer contribution plan commitments, Prioritisation of expenditure, Level of debt and proposed new borrowings, Operational efficiencies and savings forecast, and views of ratepayers and the community.
Cr E Kontelj moved, Cr Harwood seconded -
That the Essential Services Commission be advised that the City of Greater Geelong intends to apply for a higher rate cap for the 2016-2017 rating year.
Carried.
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