Does any other Council have a Rating relief policy for Community Organisations. This policy would allow for Council to make a grant back to the Community organisation for a percentage of the rates and charges levied against a property. In Queanbeyan our policy currently allows for a grant of 50% of the rates and charges levied to be paid to the not for profit Community Group. Some Councillors want this to be extended to 100%. Does anyone who has a similar policy have a definition of a Community group. Here is our policy:
1. OUTCOMES:
To provide a 50% rates and charges rebate to approved Queanbeyan based Sporting and or Community organisations.
To provide a 50% water access charge rebate to vulnerable water customers who are home dialysis patients.
2. POLICY:
In each Operational Plan/Budget Council shall make general provision for non-recurrent financial assistance known as rates and charges relief for eligible community organisations and ratepayers meeting the eligibility criteria of one of the permissible categories.
CATEGORY A – Sporting/community organisations rates and charges relief. To be eligible to participate in this scheme an organisation must:
• Be a locally managed organisation which pays rates and charges for the premises owned or leased: and
• Provide a service which is of benefit to the Queanbeyan City residents; and
• Be an organisation which has limited income principally drawn from member subscription and participants fees
Approved organisations will be entitled to a 50% rebate on Council rates and charges.
Council shall call for applications for rate relief for sporting and community organisations in August each year. Council shall consider all applications at the earliest available meeting after the closing date each year.
CATEGORY B – Home dialysis patients. Where a ratepayer can demonstrate a high level of non discretionary water use due to a home dialysis patient, Council will grant a 50% rebate on the Water access charge. The application must be supported by a Doctor’s certificate.
Any request beyond the 50% rebate shall be referred to the Rate Reference Group and dealt with under Council’s Hardship policy.
3. DEFINITIONS
Nil
4. LEGISLATIVE OBLIGATIONS AND/OR RELEVANT STANDARDS
Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993 enables Council to help organisations provided the program has been publicly advertised and budgeted for.
Best Practice Management of water supply and sewerage guidelines which have been proclaimed under section 409(6) of the Local Government Act 1993.
5. CONTENT:
Nil
6. PERFORMANCE INDICATOR
Nil
POLICY:-
Policy No:
Policy Title: Rates and Charges Relief-Policy
Date Policy was adopted by Council: 24 November 2010
Resolution Number: 301/10
Previous Policy Review Date: Nil
Next Policy Review Date: Annually – November
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