Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting - Tuesday, 25 June 2024

Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes

25 June 2024

UNCONFIRMED

1 Opening & Welcome

The Chair declared the meeting opened at 4:03pm.

2 Prayer

The Chair recited the Uralla Shire Council prayer.

3 Acknowledgement of Country

The Chair read the acknowledgement of country.

4 Webcast Information

The Chair advised the meeting was recorded, with the recording to be made available on Council’s website following the meeting and reminded the attendees from making defamatory statements.

5 Apologies & Applications for Leave of Absence by Councillors

Cr Tara Toomey joining online through Teams around 4:30pm.

6 Disclosure & Declarations of Interest/s

Cr Leanne Doran declared non-significant non-pecuniary interest in relation to item 14.10, due to being a member of the Thunderbolt Festival Committee. .

7 Confirmation of Minutes

7.1 Confirmation of Minutes held 21 May 2024 Ordinary Meeting

Resolution 01.06/24

Moved: Deputy Mayor Robert Crouch

Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows

That Council adopt the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held 21 May 2024 as a true and correct record.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor and Lone Petrov

Against: Nil

carried 8/0

8 Urgent, supplementary, and late items of business (Including Petitions)

Nil.

9 Written Reports from Delegates

9.1 Arts North West (ANW) Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC) held 24 May 2024

Resolution 02.06/24

Moved: Cr Leanne Doran

Seconded: Cr Tom O'Connor

That Council note the Delegate report Arts North West (ANW) Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC) held 24 May 2024.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor and Lone Petrov

Against: Nil

carried 8/0

9.2 Mayor's Activity Report - May 2024

Resolution 03.06/24

Moved: Mayor Robert Bell

Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows

That Council received the Mayor’s Activity Report for May 2024.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor and Lone Petrov

Against: Nil

carried 8/0

12 Notice of Motion/Questions with Notice

Nil

13 Report of Committees

13.1 Minutes - Bundarra School of Arts Hall and Community Consultative s355 Committee Meeting - 29 May 2024

Resolution 04.06/24

Moved: Cr Leanne Doran

Seconded: Cr Bruce McMullen

That Council:

1. Receives the Minutes of the Bundarra School of Arts Hall and Community Consultative s355 Committee meeting held 29 May 2024.

2. Notes the following amendments to the report and recommendations:

a. Paragraph 1:

i. Note the correct spelling of Committee member Theresa Layton; and

ii. Delete the apology as the individual is not a Committee member.

b. Paragraph 2:

i. Amend the Recommendation to add: ‘and provide a list of Bundarra projects to the Committee’.

c. Paragraph 3:

i. Amend the Recommendation to read: ‘The installation of the light at the multi-purpose courts to be prioritised’.

d. Paragraph 4:

i. Amend the Recommendation to read: ‘Council note that the Committee supports use of the Hall for all elections’.

3. Notes the Committee’s Recommendations which were tabled at the meeting as amended.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor and Lone Petrov

Against: Nil

carried 8/0

Cr Toomey connected online at 4:31pm

13.2 Uralla Local Traffic Committee (ULTC) - Minutes of Meeting held 12 June 2024

Resolution 05.06/24

Moved: Cr Bruce McMullen

Seconded: Deputy Mayor Robert Crouch

That Council receives the Minutes of the Uralla Local Traffic Committee (ULTC) meeting held 12 June 2024 and notes the decisions of the Committee.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

14 Reports to Council

14.1 DA-14-2024 - Subdivision (1 Lot into 2) - 38 Queen Street Uralla

Resolution 06.06/24

Moved: Deputy Mayor Robert Crouch

Seconded: Cr Lone Petrov

1. That Council approve the Development Application (ref: DA-14-2024) for a Subdivision (1 Lot into 2 Lots) at Lot 7 DP1136988, land known as 38 Queen Street URALLA, subject to the conditions of consent in the attached Notice of Determination with an amendment to Condition (8) requiring detailed plans showing method of stormwater disposal to lawful point from within access handle.

2. That Council notes the submissions received in response to notification of the Development Application.

Following debate a DIVISION DECISION was called with the result recorded below:

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

14.2 Terrible Vale Road Crossing - Review and Recommendations

Resolution 07.06/24

Moved: Cr Leanne Doran

Seconded: Cr Tim Bower

That Council:

1. Notes its previous resolution of 26 September 2023 to fund the replacement of the Terrible Vale Culvert Crossing for an amount of $340,000 through the LRCI 4 Part B grant.

2. Notes the more current staff advice that the Terrible Vale Project Culvert Crossing replacement cannot be undertaken within the available grant funding of $340,000.

3. Notes that the alternate project, Rocky River Road, identified in Council’s previous resolution of 26 September 2023 for the same funding of $340,000 has largely been addressed by other funding sources.

4. Approves an amount of $100,000 to be drawn from the LRCI 4 Part B Grant of $340,000 for detailed investigation, design and quantity surveying, and the likely costings of a future replacement of the Terrible Vale Crossing.

5. Approves an amount of $240,000 to be drawn from the LRCI 4 Part B Grant of $340,000 for the purposes of undertaking remediation and improvement work to the existing Rocky River Culvert Crossing (‘Post Office Gully’), including the installation of a safe pedestrian creek crossing at the same site.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

14.3 New Waste Service Areas Community Engagement Sessions and Recommendation

Resolution 08.06/24

Moved: Cr Leanne Doran

Seconded: Deputy Mayor Robert Crouch

That Council:

1. Notes the community submissions received during the consultation process which are included in NextCloud for privacy reasons.

2. Does not proceed with the creation of the proposed new waste service areas, with the exception of minor extended services for Hawthorn Drive and Rifle Range Road.

3. Considers any future new service areas only upon receipt of a joint community request with such requests to be agreed by at least 75% of ratepayers for any proposed new service route.

4. Confirms the intention to supply all future red lid and yellow lid bins to new customers directly to ensure and control the quality and uniformity of kerbside collection bins, and also to existing customers as damaged or failed bins are identified by staff, with the costs incorporated into the waste service charge.

5. Notes that the separate ongoing process regarding the incorporation of the remaining three ‘opt out’ properties (which all lie within existing Waste Service Areas) is still underway and will be advised to Council when complete.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

Cr Tara Toomey lost connection 5:03pm

14.4 Uralla Groundwater Project - Alternative Water Source Investigation

Resolution 09.06/24

Moved: Cr Tom O'Connor

Seconded: Deputy Mayor Robert Crouch

That Council:

1. Notes the progress of the Groundwater Project and the reported expenditure of $762,952.09 to complete Phases 1, 2, and 3.

2. Notes the recommended Phase 4 of the Groundwater Project and the detailed milestones, activities and approvals which would need be undertaken to complete the Groundwater Project.

3. Authorises the General Manager to write to the Department of Climate Change Energy and the Environment to seek approval for a revised set of milestones and activities to enable a shovel-ready project to be progressed for the delivery of groundwater into the reticulated potable supply, using the remaining grant funds for this purpose.

4. Approves the amount of $737,047.91, to be drawn from the remaining Groundwater Project grant (totalling $1,500,000) supplied by the Department of Planning, Industry, and the Environment, for expenditure on the Phase 4 activities listed in this report.

5. Notes that any future decision by Council to operationalise a groundwater supply is dependent upon the outcome of the Integrated Water Cycle Management Project.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor and Lone Petrov

Against: Nil

carried 8/0

14.5 Quarterly Budget Review April 2023-24 (QBRS)

Resolution 10.06/24

Moved: Cr Tom O'Connor

Seconded: Cr Tim Bower

That Council receives the third quarter budget review summary for the 2023/24 financial.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor and Lone Petrov

Against: Nil

carried 8/0

Procedural Motion - Break

Resolution 11.06/24

Moved: Cr Leanne Doran

Seconded: Cr Lone Petrov

The Chair called for a short break at 5:20pm

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor and Lone Petrov

Against: Nil

carried 8/0

Cr Tara Toomey regained connection 5:31pm

Procedural Motion - Return

Resolution 12.06/24

Moved: Cr Leanne Doran

Seconded: Cr Bruce McMullen

The Chair reconvened the meeting after a short break at 5:35pm.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

14.6 Monthly Finance Report for May 2024

Resolution 13.06/24

Moved: Cr Tom O'Connor

Seconded: Cr Bruce McMullen

That Council receives the attached Monthly Finance Report for May 2024.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

14.7 Loans as at 31 May 2024

Resolution 14.06/24

Moved: Cr Sarah Burrows

Seconded: Cr Leanne Doran

That Council notes the loan position as of 31 May 2024 totalling $1,323,327.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

14.8 Investments as at 31 May 2024

Resolution 15.06/24

Moved: Cr Tom O'Connor

Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows

That Council notes the cash position as of 31 May 2024 consisting of:

· cash and overnight funds of $1,331,988;

· term deposits of $22,250,000; and

· total convertible funds of $23,581,988 (including restricted funds).

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

14.9 Local Government Remuneration Tribunal's Determination for Mayor and Councillors Remuneration for 2024/2025

Resolution 16.06/24

Moved: Deputy Mayor Robert Crouch

Seconded: Cr Lone Petrov

That Council:

i. Approves the annual fee for the Mayor at the maximum rate of $29,500 effective 1 July 2024, making the payment to the Mayor $29,500 + the fee adopted for Councillors; and

ii. Approves the annual fee for Councillors at the maximum rate of $13,520 effective 1 July 2024; and

iii. Approves the payment of the Mayoral fee to the Deputy Mayor whenever the Deputy Mayor stands in for the Mayor for a period in excess of 1 week (7 days) effective 1 July 2024, and deducts this from the Mayoral allowance.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor and Lone Petrov

Against: Cr Tara Toomey

carried 8/1

14.10 Draft Operational Plan and Budget 2024-2025

Resolution 17.06/24

Moved: Deputy Mayor Robert Crouch

Seconded: Cr Tom O'Connor

That Council:

1. Notes the two written submissions and agrees that:

a. The suggestions contained within each submission will not be included in the Draft Operational Plan and Budget 2004-2025; and

b. Each suggestion be acknowledged and the author provided with an update from the relevant officer within 28 days of this meeting.

2. Adopts the Draft Operational Plan and Budget 2024-2025 with the following amendments:

a. Delete reference to the proposed Internment Industry Levy from Part 4, Fees and Charges, Cemeteries, noting that commencement of the Levy for Uralla Shire Council has been deferred from 1 July 2024 until 1 July 2025;

b. Approve the following donation amounts to support community capacity building and include this table in the Operational Plan:

Service Group	Donation 2024-2025
Arts North West	$5,106
Australia Day Activities	$2,500
Bush Bursary	$3,000
Lanterns Festival	$3,000
NIAS	$2,100
Pre-school rent	$22,677
Rotary Art Show	nil
School Presentation Nights	$1,080
Street Stall (including overheads)	$12,785
Thunderbolts Festival	$12,000 Plus in-kind support
Youth Services & NAIDOC	$7,267 (in addition, administration costs $7500)
Other Shire events & Community Grant Funds	$1,000
TOTAL	$72,515

c. Reduce the provision for Workers Compensation insurance from $656,228.00 to $436,387.75 to reflect the premium reduction advised by StateCover Mutual, a positive impact of $219,840.00; and

d. Include a contingent liability of $250,000 to cover potential additional expenses for the New England Weeds Authority (NEWA), in addition to Council’s budgeted annual contribution.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor and Lone Petrov

Against: Cr Tara Toomey

carried 8/1

14.11 Tablelands Community Support - Quality Audit against Aged Care Quality Standards

Resolution 18.06/24

Moved: Cr Leanne Doran

Seconded: Cr Tom O'Connor

That Council:

i. Notes the current status of non-compliance by Uralla Shire Council (the identified service provider) against the Aged Care Quality Standards will remain current until evidence of compliance is received by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

ii. Notes Tablelands Community Support has revised their Plan for Continuous Improvement with actions to remediate non-compliance and that this plan has been endorsed by the Aged Care and safety Commission.

iii. Notes the date for Tablelands Community Support to remediate the non-compliance is 31 August 2024.

iv. Notes the risks to Uralla Shire Council as the identified service provider.

v. Notes the attached documents:

a. Performance Report from the Commission

b. Plan of Continuous Improvement Notice Direction

c. Revised Plan of Continuous Improvement

d. Notice of Direction with no immediate action

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

14.12 Register Resolutions Actions Status as at 19 June 2024

Resolution 19.06/24

Moved: Cr Sarah Burrows

Seconded: Cr Lone Petrov

That Council notes the Resolution Actions Status Report as at 19 June 2024.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

15 Confidential Matters

Resolution 20.06/24

Moved: Cr Tom O'Connor

Seconded: Cr Sarah Burrows

That Council considers the confidential report(s) listed below in a meeting closed to the public in accordance with Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993:

15.1 New England Weeds Authority Update

This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) - d(i) and f of the Local Government Act 1993, and the Council is satisfied that discussion of this matter in an open meeting would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest as it deals with commercial information of a confidential nature that would, if disclosed prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied it and details of systems and/or arrangements that have been implemented to protect council, councillors, staff and Council property.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

Resolution 22.06/24

Moved: Cr Sarah Burrows

Seconded: Cr Lone Petrov

That Council return to Open Session of Council.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

16 Communications of Council Decisions

The Chair communicated the Council decisions from the closed session.

Resolution 23.06/24

Moved: Cr Tim Bower

Seconded: Cr Leanne Doran

That resolutions of Closed Session of Council become the resolutions of Open session of Council.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

15.1 New England Weeds Authority Update

Resolution 21.06/24

Moved: Cr Tim Bower

Seconded: Cr Leanne Doran

That Council notes the confidential advice in this report.

For: Crs Robert Bell, Robert Crouch, Tim Bower, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Bruce McMullen, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov and Tara Toomey

Against: Nil

carried 9/0

17 Conclusion of Meeting

The meeting was closed at 6:40pm.

Council Minutes confirmed by Mayor Robert Bell on …./…./2024: Resolution 00.00/24


Minutes of
Ordinary Council Meeting Held on 25 June 2024 at 4:00pm
Attendance at Meeting:
Councillors:	Mayor R Bell (Chair) Deputy Mayor R Crouch Cr T Bower Cr S Burrows Cr L Doran Cr McMullen Cr T O'Connor Cr L Petrov Cr T Toomey (attended remotely from 4:30pm)
Apologies:	Nil
Staff:	Ms T Averay General Manager Mr M Raby Director Infrastructure & Development Dr R Abell Director Corporate & Community Mr M Ahammed, Manager Finance & IT Mr D Weiley, Manager Assets Mr S Vivers Acting Manager, Development & Planning Dr I Arah Manager Environment & Waste Ms W Westbrook, Executive Assistant