Council’s Resourcing Strategy open for comment

Image with covers of Draft Resourcing Strategy, Draft Workforce Management Strategy and Draft Long Term Financial Plan

Council has placed the draft Resourcing Strategy 2022 on public exhibition.

‘The Resourcing Strategy explains how Council plans to perform all the services, programs and capital projects we provide, including implementing the strategies from the Community Strategic Plan,’ CEO Rebecca Ryan said.

‘We are inviting the community to have their say on how we plan to allocate resources to deliver services and manage assets.’

‘As part of the Resourcing Strategy, we are seeking comments on the Long Term Financial Plan and the Workforce Management Strategy.’

‘The Long Term Financial Plan is essentially a 10 year budget, which models the financial capacity of Council to deliver the diverse services, activities and programs we provide. It includes the community’s aspirations for new and renewed infrastructure, detailing how Council intends to fund these major projects; and how we can meet the needs of user groups and our residents.’

‘The Workforce Management Strategy outlines the challenges and opportunities of a diverse workforce with the objective of being an employer of choice, attracting and retaining the right staff, with training opportunities and a flexible and family friendly workplace that will be able deliver the many Council services and manage our assets.’

‘The Long Term Financial Plan acknowledges that the total cost of providing community services and infrastructure is more than the total income Council receives.

Rebecca explained that expenses have been growing faster than income over a long period and Council recognises it needs to improve its overall financial performance.

‘The impact of rates not keeping up with operational expenses has required Council to use its cash held on hand. Spreading the cost intergenerationally of new infrastructure like replacing timber bridges, swimming pools and a new Sewage Treatment Plant via long term loans is one way to maintain our financial sustainability, however we have important operational works like the Library, grading and re-sheeting of our gravel roads, resealing our roads network, maintenance of our streets, parks and sporting facilities which must maintain a level of service to be safe, accessible and user friendly.’

‘Over the next 6 months Council will be reviewing all of our revenue options and cost saving measures. We will look at the way we deliver services, what our current levels of service are and if this is meeting the expectations of the community.’

‘Increasing rates is one of several actions that Council will consider as part of this improvement plan, and we will be encouraging the community to be involved in this process,’ Rebecca said.

‘All options considered by Council will be shared with the community, with opportunities to provide feedback before any decisions are made.’

View the strategy and have your say at yourvoice.qprc.nsw.gov.au/draft-resourcing-strategy-2022

/Public Release. View in full here.