This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Annual Report 2013-2014 q


The Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange is the fourth largest in Victoria. The exchange had a throughout of 565,167 sheep and 1,556 cattle this year.


54


REVIEWS Rates Review


Council has undertaken an extensive review of its rating strategy during 2013-2014. The review looked in depth at the various elements of its current rating package with the objective being to consider ways in which these could be varied to “more equitably and efficiently distribute the rates burden in the municipality”. As part of the review, Council looked at its services to determine if they should be funded by specific charges or through rates. Most services were considered as part of the rates, as they were identified as public services which provide a broad benefit to the community, rather than a particular benefit to individuals or groups. As such, it is difficult or impractical to exclude non-payers from the benefits, or to attribute costs. Council’s only specific charge is for the garbage collection service, in which the revenue from charges for household garbage services are set to meet the total cost of all waste services, including collection, treatment and disposal. At the same time, small scale services, or those where it would be difficult to attribute costs or collect fees, have been funded through rates. Council also undertook extensive modelling analysis to look at alternative rating structures and what the impacts may be for all sectors within the community.


The final Rates Strategy adopted, balances the need to fund the various Council services available to ratepayers, with the need to consider equity in the levying of rates and services provided. During the review, Council was careful to consider the key equity principles applicable to consideration of taxation matters, horizontal equity, vertical equity, the benefit principle, capacity to pay and simplicity. Council also gave consideration to the 2013 Ministerial Guidelines for the Use of Differential Rates. The final strategy sees rates that are levied based on property capital improved values, with consideration of a differential for the farming sector (this was increased from 10% to 20%), a flat municipal charge, and user charges for garbage services. Council called for submissions from the public at various stages during the review, and submissions received through the process were considered in the drafting of the final strategy, as was the 2014 Revaluation information.


Council’s final adopted Rating Strategy balances the need to maintain stability in the rate burden with the key equity principles, and Council’s overall objective, to be more equitable and efficient in the distribution of the rates burden.


Section 86 Committees Review


Council has undertaken a review of its Section 86 Committees to make recommendations as to preferred governance arrangements, and to update the current Instruments of Delegation. The review was in response to the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate audit in January 2012, which found some areas of non-compliance by committees not having appropriate administrative processes in place, and also suggesting that Council had too many Section 86 Committees.


A Review Committee was established that looked at the functions and objectives of each committee and has made recommendations to Council as to a preferred governance structure moving forward.


The next stage to be completed in 2015-2016, is to engage with each committee and explain the obligations associated with being a Section 86 Special Committee, discuss alternative governance arrangements, make plans to transition to those arrangements where necessary, and establish appropriate agreements.


To assist with improved governance of all Section 86 Committees, a Resource Manual has been produced and a Council Policy – “Agreements for use of Council Facilities” developed. The policy provides general directions to follow in establishing or renewing agreements and the guiding principles to be used when determining appropriate charges. The Resource Manual guides Section 86 Committees in their day-to-day operations, and provides them with resources and tools to operate effectively.


Council values and requires the engagement of community groups in the day-to-day management of community facilities. Throughout the review process it recognises the enormous effort that volunteers put in to assist in the running of the community and every effort is made to keep them engaged in this valuable work. This, however, needs to be balanced with good risk management, compliance and minimisation of red tape.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156