Council defers consideration of Operational Plan 2020-21 to July

Council will defer consideration of submissions and adoption of the Operational Plan 2020-21 until its meeting on 27 July 2020.

This option for NSW Councils to finalise budgets for the new financial year before 30 July instead of the traditional 30 June cut-off date, was made permissible by the Minister for Local Government in April.  It was due to the extenuating circumstances being faced during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said that the additional time would be beneficial to ensure that the final budget proposed was in the best interests of the Central Coast community.

“We have had to look at the 2020-21 budget with fresh eyes,” said Mayor Matthews.

“As we don’t need reminding the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the way that we work, a huge impact on business, and Central Coast Council is no exception.  Whilst the financial impacts are not yet fully understood for Council, ratepayers, or business; what we do know is that the publicly exhibited 2020-21 budget is unlikely to be the budget that we will consider at the July meeting.”

“We will propose a budget that ensures a financially sustainable position for Central Coast Council and meets our promise to our community about delivering essential services they need and want,” said Mayor Matthews.

“It hasn’t been easy times with bushfires, floods, and the pandemic but the resilience of the Central Coast community has been astounding, and Council will continue to play its part in stimulating the recovery of our region as restrictions continue to ease.”

Council will continue to operate under the existing Operational Plan 2019-20 until such time as the 2020-21 plan is adopted.   In addition, the deferred adoption of the Operational Plan does not impact the financial year reporting period, with both 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial performance reporting comprising of a 12 month period.

Council adopts 2020-21 Fees and Charges

Central Coast Council adopted its Fees and Charges for the 2020-21 financial year as proposed in the business paper, following a period of public exhibition.

It was noted that Council continue with the 2019/20 fees and charges for sporting groups and ground hire into the 2020/21 financial year.

Council thanked everyone who made submissions.

To view Council’s Fees and Charges 2020 – 21, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/delivery-program-and-operational-plan

Council adopts Local Strategic Planning Statement

The long-term vision and land use planning priorities for the next 20 years has become clearer for the Central Coast community after Council voted to adopt an interim the Local Strategic Planning Statement. The interim document will be reviewed within 3 months with the adoption of a final statement by the end of November 2020.

The Central Coast Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) aligns both the state planning goals provided in the Central Coast Regional Plan, and local strategic planning goals and directions of the One Central Coast Community Strategic Plan 2018.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said the statement is an important document that will help shape the future of the Central Coast and is delighted that it will form a key part of future Council policy moving forward.

“The Plan aims to balance the social, environmental and economic outcomes for the region over the next 20 years by directing our growth to existing centres, along growth corridors and within planned precincts,” Mayor Matthews said.

“As a Council we’re committed to achieving sustainable growth for the Central Coast and this Plan allows us to meet and deliver on our core responsibilities in a sustainable way. The Plan is an iterative document that will be able to be reviewed and improved as circumstances and community aspirations change over time,” said Mayor Matthews.

Consultation on the draft LSPS occurred through online webinars and was placed online for public exhibition with over 160 submissions received.