[Melissa McCulloch]

Hi All

I am aware that there have been informal representations made to OLG to consider either/both delaying the harmonisation of rates for 12 months and providing a ‘Glide Path’ for transitioning resulting increases and decreases.

Central Coast have requested a report for later this month.

Initially I will be looking at preparing something around:
– background,
– schedule for implementation,
– likely impacts and benefits of delaying implementation and developing a ‘glide path’

Are any other councils considering this and what conversations are happening at your council?

Regards
Mel

[Melissa McCulloch]

Update on where CCC is at with rates harmonisation:

CCC Councillors first enquiry was to harmonise our ordinary rates next year – a confidential report was presented to council early this month

We are now exploring postponing harmonisation in more detail for a year (harmonise in 2020/21)

For those interested here is a link to the report to council from Monday night href=”https://cdn.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/Council/Meetings_and_minutes/amendeditem49-ordinaryratesharmonisation.pdf” title=”Ordinary Rates Harmonisation Central Coast Council” target=”_blank”>

Councillors have requested a further briefing next Monday that our brand new CFO is going to deliver. As part of the briefing we are going to give them the following scenario:

Impact on rates 2020-21 with the following assumptions (all modeled in IBIS – not spruiking it but spread sheets are not my forte)
• Max min $553 – exception max min for a res sub category which is $282
• 2.5% increase on revenue from 2019-20 for all categories
• Harmonised Rate in the Dollar for the residential ordinary rate (it’s not a pretty curve)

Happy to discuss with other merged councils if you are experiencing the same questions.

Mel

[Andrew Butcher]

Hi Melissa

Your council may be interested in this Local Government Amendment Bill.

First print – Local Government amendment bill 2019

Regards
Andrew

[Melissa McCulloch]

Hi All

It looks like the Local Government Amendment Bill 2019 was passed by both houses of Parliament Wednesday 19 June 2019. This was assented Tuesday 25 June 2019 – Act No 6 of 2019.

Schedule 1(5) of the bill explains the changes to Section 218CB Transitional provision for maintenance of pre-amalgamation rate paths
The changes included:
Omit “3 rating years” from section 218CB (2). Insert instead “4 rating years”.

I can’t see that there is any opportunity for merged councils to nominate when they harmonise rates based on the wording above.

Does this mean that rates harmonisation will occur in 2021/22? Or can the Minister determine this?

https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/bill-details.aspx?pk=3643

Thanks
Mel

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