Minutes
Extraordinary Northern Beaches Council Meeting
held at the Civic Centre, Dee Why on
Tuesday 28 January 2025
Minutes of the Extraordinary Northern Beaches Council Meeting
held on Tuesday 28 January 2025
at the Civic Centre, Dee Why
Commencing at 6:00pm
Councillors
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Sue Heins (Mayor) |
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Ruth Robins (Deputy Mayor) |
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Jody Williams |
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Ethan Hrnjak |
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Joeline Hackman |
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Nicholas Beaugeard |
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Kristyn Glanville |
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Bonnie Harvey - remote |
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Sarah Grattan |
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Candy Bingham |
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Bob Giltinan OAM JP |
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Vincent De Luca OAM |
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Mandeep Singh JP |
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Rowie Dillon |
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Miranda Korzy |
Officers
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Scott Phillips |
Chief Executive Officer |
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Kelly Loveridge |
Chief Operating Officer |
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David Kerr |
Director Community & Recreation |
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Todd Dickinson |
Director Environment & Open Space |
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Louise Kerr |
Director Planning & Place |
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Campbell Pfeiffer |
Director Transport & Assets |
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Caroline Foley |
Chief Financial Officer |
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Eskil Julliard |
General Counsel |
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Kath McKenzie |
Executive Manager Community Engagement & Communications |
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Sarah Dunstan |
Executive Manager Governance & Risk |
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Lesley Milbourne |
Manager Governance |
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Lauren Reti |
Senior Advisor - Governance |
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Rorie Brooks |
Service Desk Analyst |
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Max Alexander |
Service Delivery Analyst |
Notes
The meeting commenced at 6.00pm adjourned at 8.12pm, resumed at 8.27pm, adjourned at 9.26pm, resumed at 9.34pm, adjourned at 9.38pm, resumed at 9.48pm and concluded at 9:55pm.
1.0 Acknowledgement of Country
2.0 Apologies and Applications for Leave Of Absence and Remote Attendance
4.0 Public Forum and Public Address
7.0 Chief Executive Officer's Division Reports
7.1 Special Variation to Rates - Approval to lodge an application to IPART
1.0 Acknowledgement of Country
NOTE: The Mayor acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land on which the meeting gathered, and paid respect to Elders past and present.
2.0 Apologies and Applications for leave of absence and Remote Attendance
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That in accordance with clause 6.26 of the Code of Meeting Practice, Councillor Harvey be granted remote attendance to the January extraordinary Council meeting. CARRIED |
3.0 Disclosures of Interest
Nil
4.0 Public Address
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That all speakers registered who are present are provided permission to address Council in the Public Address. CARRIED |
· Stuart Gold, on behalf of Northern Beaches Peoples Voice, addressed Council against this item.
· Phil Sulway addressed Council against this item.
· Terry Le Roux, on behalf of North Harbour Community Group, addressed Council in support of this item.
· Frank Peylaire addressed Council in support of this item.
· David Brown addressed Council against this item.
· Stephen Bowhill addressed Council against this item.
· Mark Horton addressed Council against this item.
· James Brown addressed Council against this item.
· Gehan De Silva addressed Council against this item (via a statement read by staff).
7.0 Chief Executive Officer's Division Reports
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7.1 Special Variation to Rates - Approval to lodge an application to IPART |
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NOTE: In accordance with clause 19.1 of the Code of Meeting Practice the meeting was adjourned at 8:12pm and resumed at 8:27pm |
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That Council: 1. Note the community engagement activities undertaken from 18 November 2024 to 12 January 2025 in relation to the revised Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034, Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 and special variation to rates options as required by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). 2. Note the community responses in respect of the community engagement undertaken in relation to the revised Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034, Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 and special variation options. 3. Note the opportunities for service reductions, property rationalisation and/or fee increase initiatives as outlined in this report are not of size and scale to reduce the need for a special variation to rates to maintain Council’s long term financial sustainability. 4. Note the memo from the independent members of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee in consideration of a special variation to rates for Northern Beaches Council and their acknowledgement that a special variation is a sound financial initiative to maintain Council’s long term financial sustainability. 5. Note the NSW Parliament’s Standing Committee on State Development ‘Inquiry into the ability of local government to fund infrastructure and services 2024’ recommended changes to the local government rating system to address some of the cost pressures local governments face in delivering community services and assets and infrastructure. 6. Note that the special variation to rates application to IPART is consistent with Council’s responsibility under the Local Government Act 1993 to continue existing services, maintain and improve community infrastructure, support environmental and natural risk reduction programs and strengthen financial sustainability. 7. Adopt Option 3 of the Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 included within Attachment 2. 8. Adopt the revised Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034 at Attachment 3. 9. Apply to IPART for a permanent increase in rates income for the period from 2025/26 to 2027/28 (inclusive) of 39.6% (Option 3 ‘Improve Services’) under section 508A of the Local Government Act 1993, consisting of annual increases as set out below: a. Year 2025/26 – 12.1% increase (8.3% + rate peg of 3.8%) b. Year 2026/27 – 11.7% increase (8.3% + assumed rate peg of 3.4%) c. Year 2027/28 – 11.5% increase (8.4% + assumed rate peg of 3.1%) 10. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to lodge the application for a special variation to rates to IPART, including IPART’s Special Variation Application Forms Part A and Part B and all other necessary documentation such as the Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 for the adopted option at Attachment 2, Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034 at Attachment 3, Productivity Journey and Improvement Plan 2024 at Attachment 4 and Capacity to Pay Report at Attachment 5. |
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003/25 Resolved - Adjourn the Meeting That in accordance with clause 19.1 of the Code of Meeting Practice the meeting be adjourned for 10 minutes. CARRIED |
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That Council: 1. Note the community engagement activities undertaken from 18 November 2024 to 12 January 2025 in relation to the revised Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034, Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 and special variation to rates options as required by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). 2. Note the community responses in respect of the community engagement undertaken in relation to the revised Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034, Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 and special variation options. 3. Note the opportunities for service reductions, property rationalisation and/or fee increase initiatives as outlined in this report are not of size and scale to reduce the need for a special variation to rates to maintain Council’s long term financial sustainability. 4. Note the memo from the independent members of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee in consideration of a special variation to rates for Northern Beaches Council and their acknowledgement that a special variation is a sound financial initiative to maintain Council’s long term financial sustainability. 5. Note the NSW Parliament’s Standing Committee on State Development ‘Inquiry into the ability of local government to fund infrastructure and services 2024’ recommended changes to the local government rating system to address some of the cost pressures local governments face in delivering community services and assets and infrastructure. 6. Note that the special variation to rates application to IPART is consistent with Council’s responsibility under the Local Government Act 1993 to continue existing services, maintain and improve community infrastructure, support environmental and natural risk reduction programs and strengthen financial sustainability. 7. Adopt Option 2 of the Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 included within Attachment 2. 8. Adopt the revised Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034 at Attachment 3. 9. Apply to IPART for a permanent increase in rates income for the period from 2025/26 to 2027/28 (inclusive) of 31.1% (Option 2 ‘Maintain Services’) under section 508A of the Local Government Act 1993, consisting of annual increases as set out below: a. Year 2025/26 – 9.8% increase (6.0% + rate peg of 3.8%) b. Year 2026/27 – 9.4% increase (6.0% + assumed rate peg of 3.4%) c. Year 2027/28 – 9.1% increase (6.0% + assumed rate peg of 3.1%) 10. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to lodge the application for a special variation to rates to IPART, including IPART’s Special Variation Application Forms Part A and Part B and all other necessary documentation such as the Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 for the adopted option at Attachment 2, Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034 at Attachment 3, Productivity Journey and Improvement Plan 2024 at Attachment 4 and Capacity to Pay Report at Attachment 5.
Voting FOR: Cr Hrnjak, Cr Hackman, Cr Glanville, Cr Harvey and Cr Korzy AGAINST: Cr Robins, Cr Williams, Cr Beaugeard, Cr Grattan, Cr Bingham, Cr Giltinan, Cr De Luca, Cr Singh, Cr Dillon and Cr Heins Lost |
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THE AMENDMENT WAS LOST AND DEBATE RESUMED ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION |
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NOTE: In accordance with clause 16.13 of the Code of Meeting Practice the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:26pm and resumed at 9:34pm NOTE: In accordance with clause 16.13 of the Code of Meeting Practice the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:38pm. In accordance with clause 16.18 a member of the gallery was expelled from the meeting. The meeting resumed at 9:48pm |
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That Council: 1. Defer indefinitely the consideration of the SRV application until 2026. 2. Request the CEO: a. to introduce an immediate freeze on the hiring of staff, particularly considering that the Organisational Structure must be resolved one year from the September election, and in consideration of the Planning weekend of Councillors to discuss the next Budget b. to explore a $10 million reduction in the employment costs of management or by at least 30% in savings over the next 2 years c. to explore a reduction of at least 20% to deliver $20 million in savings over the next 2 years d. to critically review Council’s property portfolio and make recommendations to the April 2025 Council meeting to raise at least $40 million over the next 2 years e. that a report be prepared identifying the opportunities, options, timing and risks for the disposal or development of the Council-owned car park at 31-35 Howard Ave and 36-44 Oaks Ave, Dee Why f. to rescind the vehicle leaseback arrangement and replace it with salary sacrifice and a novated lease scheme g. seek quotations from other recognised experts to peer review the assumptions, analysis and conclusions that purport to substantiate such a large increase in rates, including the demand for a significant increase in investment in assets h. to explore and recommend any other internal cost saving measured as thought fit. 3. Cancel all Events for 2025 except for Citizenship Ceremonies, ANZAC Day Ceremonies, those that existing contracts have been executed, and that only one Christmas and one NYE Event be held in central venues and that in future, staff prior to funding any Event, Council staff present a Cost/Benefit Analysis report to Council addressing, but not limited to: a. the total expected cost of the Event b. any anticipated financial returns or savings c. any impact on local businesses and whether external providers can provide the same Event d. non-financial benefits, to provide a full picture of the project’s value. 4. Defer the Manly Surf Life Saving Clubhouse re-development pending State and Federal Government funding. Voting FOR: Cr Hrnjak, Cr Glanville, Cr Giltinan, Cr De Luca and Cr Singh AGAINST: Cr Robins, Cr Williams, Cr Hackman, Cr Beaugeard, Cr Harvey, Cr Grattan, Cr Bingham, Cr Dillon, Cr Korzy and Cr Heins Lost |
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THE AMENDMENT WAS LOST AND DEBATE RESUMED ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION |
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That Council:
1. Note the community engagement activities undertaken from 18 November 2024 to 12 January 2025 in relation to the revised Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034, Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 and special variation to rates options as required by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). 2. Note the community responses in respect of the community engagement undertaken in relation to the revised Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034, Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 and special variation options. 3. Note the opportunities for service reductions, property rationalisation and/or fee increase initiatives as outlined in this report are not of size and scale to reduce the need for a special variation to rates to maintain Council’s long term financial sustainability. 4. Note the memo from the independent members of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee in consideration of a special variation to rates for Northern Beaches Council and their acknowledgement that a special variation is a sound financial initiative to maintain Council’s long term financial sustainability. 5. Note the NSW Parliament’s Standing Committee on State Development ‘Inquiry into the ability of local government to fund infrastructure and services 2024’ recommended changes to the local government rating system to address some of the cost pressures local governments face in delivering community services and assets and infrastructure. 6. Note that the special variation to rates application to IPART is consistent with Council’s responsibility under the Local Government Act 1993 to continue existing services, maintain and improve community infrastructure, support environmental and natural risk reduction programs and strengthen financial sustainability. 7. Adopt Option 3 of the Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 included within Attachment 2. 8. Adopt the revised Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034 at Attachment 3. 9. Apply to IPART for a permanent increase in rates income for the period from 2025/26 to 2027/28 (inclusive) of 39.6% (Option 3 ‘Improve Services’) under section 508A of the Local Government Act 1993, consisting of annual increases as set out below: a. Year 2025/26 – 12.1% increase (8.3% + rate peg of 3.8%) b. Year 2026/27 – 11.7% increase (8.3% + assumed rate peg of 3.4%) c. Year 2027/28 – 11.5% increase (8.4% + assumed rate peg of 3.1%) 10. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to lodge the application for a special variation to rates to IPART, including IPART’s Special Variation Application Forms Part A and Part B and all other necessary documentation such as the Addendum to the Delivery Program 2024-28 and Operational Plan 2024/25 for the adopted option at Attachment 2, Long-Term Financial Plan 2024-2034 at Attachment 3, Productivity Journey and Improvement Plan 2024 at Attachment 4 and Capacity to Pay Report at Attachment 5. Voting FOR: Cr Robins, Cr Williams, Cr Beaugeard, Cr Grattan, Cr Bingham, Cr Dillon, Cr Korzy and Cr Heins AGAINST: Cr Hrnjak, Cr Hackman, Cr Glanville, Cr Harvey, Cr Giltinan, Cr De Luca and Cr Singh Carried |
The meeting concluded at 9:55pm
This is the final page of the minutes comprising 9 pages numbered 1 to 9 of the Extraordinary Northern Beaches Council Meeting held on Tuesday 28 January 2025 and confirmed on Tuesday 18 February 2025
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Mayor |
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Chief Executive Officer |