Hans Lovejoy
It’s been a while since former general manager Ken Gainger retired.
And with councillors now scratching around for a replacement honcho, what better time to change the sheets, clean the carpets and blaze up some white sage for a smudge?
In an attempt to dust off the throne for the next GM, mayor Simon Richardson will seek councillor support at this Thursday’s meeting to employ ‘an independent consultant to undertake an organisation and governance review.’
It will provide information as to the current state of Byron Shire Council for the incoming general manager and the community, says the mayor.
Those ratepayers who take a keen interest in where their rate money goes will know that Council is a large beast – there are many many aspects to its $73m/year budget and governance. Cr Richardson highlights nine areas that are broadly the responsibility of the executive managers, who include Phil Holloway, Shannon Burt, Ralph James and acting GM Mark Arnold.
Shouty critics
So what do the staff say about having their operations looked at closely? And do expensive external reviews and audits keep shouty mobs of hardened council critics at bay?
While staff say that ‘a significant body of previous audits’ address some of the ‘requested review components,’ Melbourne-based consultants OCM have made a pitch for the job at a cost of $110,700 (excluding GST). There is no funding source, however.
And there’s also the ‘Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee,’ which comprises Cr Cameron, Cr Hunter, Cr Richardson and ‘specialist key stakeholders’ Michael Georghiou, Rae Wills and Brian Wilkinson. They meet next on May 17.
According to staff, consultants OCM have already been involved with recent reviews, such as corporate compliance and policy management (they were fine, we are told).
Some areas that have not been reviewed at all include public land management, which ‘has not been undertaken with either Grant Thornton or OCM.’
Also an ‘independent review of Council’s internal audit processes has not been, or scheduled to be, undertaken.’
Importantly, a key area that residents have paid close attention to is Council’s water supply and sewer infrastructure, which were last reviewed by Grant Thornton in 2013/14.
On a brighter note, staff explained some improvements with audit reports and a ‘strong corporate compliance culture.’
Funding Byron’s masterplan
While there were assurances given around four years ago to The Echo by now-retired GM Gainger that there were funds available to undertake extensive Byron Bay masterplan projects, fast forward to now and the mayor is hoping to lock in that funding.
But staff say in the agenda the option is either to secure masterplan funding or, instead, secure ‘asset renewal and the ability to reduce infrastructure backlog.’
Which option will councillors choose this Thursday?
Will they ask for an independent review on that report?
Cr Richardson’s idea in the agenda is to ‘Ensure that at least 50 per cent of paid-parking revenue allocations to Byron Bay are reserved for implementing masterplan projects.’
Staff say the mayor’s suggestion would generate around $500,000 pa for masterplan projects, but ‘new assets will also create future maintenance obligations to be funded once constructed. It is not clear what will be required after 2019/2020 in respect of the projections.’
Significantly, the consequence of such a shift in budget allocations ‘will change Council’s Council Improvement Plan (CIP) position,’ which is a ‘significant contributor to CIP outcomes.’
Council introduced its CIP after the state government clamped down on underperforming councils and threatened amalgamation through its Fit for the Future requirements. But public backlash over council amalgamations – which don’t appear to work anyway – put powerful Sydney bureaucrats and the less powerful elected muppets back into their boxes.
‘It would seem the emphasis on ‘Fit for the Future’ has gone off the local government agenda in NSW,’ writes manager finance, corporate and community services James Brickley.
‘However, the Office of Local Government are requiring Council annually to report against the CIP benchmarks, so this is something Council should consider and whether other decisions need to be made in relation to CIP outcomes considering decisions already made and the decision presented [by the mayor].’
Public budget estimates
In an effort to ‘promote understanding of the structure and content of Council finances and budget process,’ councillor Basil Cameron will seek support at this Thursday’s meeting for public access (budget estimate) meetings, which would be held by the Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) during the exhibition of the 2018/19 draft budget.
Staff replied that the draft Delivery Program and Budget will be presented to Council ‘at either the April 19 meeting or an extraordinary meeting in May for endorsement for public exhibition.’
As part of that process, staff suggest a two-hour community workshop could be held after office hours.
Water and developments
The way in which water is managed within Council’s planning instruments – such as the LEP and DCPs – is lacking, says Cr Cate Coorey.
And staff agree!
In other words, creating such a policy could result in tighter restrictions for new developments, but would appear responsible given the importance of water as a resource.
Cr Coorey will seek support this Thursday to formalise a Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) strategy, and points out, ‘WSUD policies are already in place in many local government areas.’
Staff explained why there has been little progress made with WSUDs: ‘Council’s capital works budget historically has involved minimal drainage funding, which has resulted in an ageing and failing system.’
These items are just some from a long list that our underpaid, undervalued and misunderstood councillors will deal with in the Mullum chambers this Thursday. Starts at 9am!
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
