[Melissa McCulloch]

Hi Andrew

Central Coast would like to participate in training thanks.

Mel

[Melissa McCulloch]

Hi David

We had that request last year from the AO as well. We are still running Authority and Pathway.

I attempted to get the information from both systems in the format requested but it took too long.

We will not be in a position to re-format to any format different to what comes out of the systems this year.

Mel

[Melissa McCulloch]

Hi Danielle

At CCC we start our EoFY reporting on 30 June and carry through to 1 July.

Due to the number of assessments/transactions our reporting has to navigate we don’t post until 1 July. But it is not a conscious decision.

Historically the end to end process (EoFY roll to striking the rates) actually took us 2 whole weeks! This was in Authority. Over the last couple of years we have weeded out unnecessary reporting to get the process down to 2-3 days.

Hope this helps
Mel

[Melissa McCulloch]

I am having some trouble interpreting 495(4)(b) & (c) Intergovernmental projects:

(b) the intergovernmental project does not need to be works, services, facilities or activities within the functions of the council and the rate levied may exceed the value of the part of the project with the council’s functions,
Q – does this mean the total cost to council can be covered particularly if there are activities council is required to facilitate outside of its normal functions? Would this include engaging contractors to complete works allocated to councils?

(c) if the cost of the intergovernmental project is partly funded by another person or under another arrangement, charge or contribution—the rate levied may be limited to what is needed to fund the proportion of the cost for which the council is responsible,
I’m not sure how this differs from (b)

Keen to hear others interpretations of these sub-sections.

Thanks
Mel

[Melissa McCulloch]

Hi RPs

Do we interpret the addition to S506 as a controlled approach to harmonisation?

Section 506 Variation of general income:

Insert at the end of the section—
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the order may—
(a) specify different percentages for different areas of councils, and
(b) specify a methodology for calculating a percentage rather that specifying a particular percentage, including by specifying a base percentage to which an additional figure may be added in specified circumstances.

Thanks
Mel

[Melissa McCulloch]

Central Coast is applying the full 2.6%. Plan is off exhibition and going to Council at the end of the month.

Cheers
Mel

[Melissa McCulloch]

Hi Emma

We also received a letter from the NSW Farmers Association and provided a response.

In our response we advised that we are required to maintain our rating structure due to being a merged council, however, in the 2020/21 rating year properties categorised as Farmland had an advantage in that the RID for this category is set at a lower percentage of the Residential RID.

Cheers
Mel

[Melissa McCulloch]

Good Morning RPs

Have any council’s made a decision around delaying their 2021FY Q1 rates by one month at this stage?

No decision here at CCC yet either.

[Melissa McCulloch]

Congrats Brad!

[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

[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

[Melissa McCulloch]

Hi Linda
You could rely upon the Recovery of Imposts Act and set up a series of letters asking the owners who have been overcharged to provide evidence by way of receipts for payment to qualify for any refund from 1993 onwards – the issue you may have with this is locating all owners where there has been a sale.

If evidence is submitted to Council and such evidence (receipts) is acceptable (payment within a 12 month period) then Council should refund those moneys but only to the name or entity on the receipt.

Further letters should be sent confirming a refund or declining a refund.
Regards
Mel

[Author]

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