[Susan Pardy]

Good morning all,
To those Councils currently looking at a potential amalgamation proclamation between now and mid July, can you advise on what our legal, and practical, position in regards to rating might be considering our unknown Council “name”. In particular, would we be open to legal challenge if we sent rate notices out in the name of (say) Cootamundra Shire Council, if we were no longer, legally, Cootamundra Shire Council? And if so, what is likely to be the latest date we would need to know the name of the Council we are raising rates for, if we had no other option but to hold until a pending proclamation is made.
So far, I anticipate that S532 and 533 will affect timings of making the rates (as will S562(4) in the service of the notices).
If you have pondered this or have received any feedback/advice, I’d really appreciate you sharing.
Thanks Kindly,
Susan

[Ken Bakon]

Hi Susan,
I believe this and many other questions will be answered by our “makers” (aka State Government), at the appropriate time. We too at Bankstown are waiting with baited breath!

Ken

[Tracey Walker]

Hi Susan,
As the rating structure doesn’t come together for at least 4 years only the issue remains is the printing of the base stock.

So down here at Wollongong we have been discussing the possibility of having our base stock printed without the Council Name or Contact Details. If proclamation is made then overlay the Council Name and Contact Details on the base stock at the time of the print run.

The only downside to this is the base stock will be in corporate colours with the exception of the Council Name and Contact Details which will be black.

Tracey

[Ken Bakon]

Just on Tracey’s post. If you print full colour on plain paper, base stock is not an issue. We have been doing this for a couple of years and we are able to change the look and feel of any notice as required. It is not as expensive as you might think. The days of base stock are limited I believe.

[Tracey Walker]

Totally agree Ken and that is one of the things I have been asked to look at our next quotation period.

[Susan Pardy]

Thanks Ken and Tracey. We haven’t been using base stock for a number of years now and so we have the flexibility for change to our notices when the time comes.

[Susan Scott]

I don’t think we need to worry too much – s.533 allows for a later date ‘if the Minister if of the opinion there are special circumstances’ & s.562 (4) includes ‘or by the day that is 30 days after service of the notice’. It wouldn’t take too long for the print companies to change the Council name for printing.

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