Council News 5 September 2018
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COUNCIL NEWS 5 SEPTEMBER 2018
As residents may be aware Council has previously implemented an Improvement Action Plan (IAP) which is detailed below. It is very pleasing to advise Council has very nearly completed all the actions in the plan.
Improvement Action Plan
Actions
Status
1. Implementation of approved Special Rate Variation (SRV)
Completed
2. Undertake collaborative Mid Lachlan Alliance ‘Fitness Campaign’
Completed
3. Review of Asset Management Plans
Completed
4. Make strategic use of debt and comply with SRV approval
Completed
5. Achieve cost savings and efficiency gains
Ongoing
As this plan is nearly completed a new Improvement Plan has been prepared as part of the recently completed Innovation Fund program ‘Fitness Campaign’ with actions identified against the fifteen (15) sustainability objectives in the Sustainable Best Value Policy.
The actions in the Improvement Plan and other strategies are being incorporated into Councils Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) process for the required funding and resources to be provided to allow Council to “work on the business” to ensure Weddin Shire Council remains sustainable in the long term.
There is strong Community support for Council to retain its independence and remain a standalone entity into the future. Given this desire for Council to secure its future and remain standalone it is vital for Council to work on improving its systems and capabilities in order to meet its regulatory and reporting requirements as well as implementing the actions and strategies in the Improvement Plan.
The new Improvement Plan can be located on Councils website as part of Councils Resourcing Strategy www.weddin.nsw.gov.au
A Connected Leadership Program was also undertaken as part of the Innovation Fund program ‘Fitness Campaign’ and was an integral part of the program because Council recognised that we need to think and work differently.
The program included a combination of one-on-one coaching and development as well as group workshops. The one-on-one sessions focussed on developing the behaviours of individual leaders to support a shift in organisational culture. Group workshops focussed on developing a shared vision and purpose within Council. Lead Consultant Mr David Gourlay conducted the one-on-one coaching sessions and workshops with staff prior to a Councillor workshop.
The one-on-one coaching sessions and workshops were excellent and designed to ensure that Weddin Shire Council has stronger social structures to support organisational change, support a cultural shift as well as strengthening the organisation’s understanding of the benefits and opportunities of the Mid Lachlan Alliance and the Central NSW JO which will all result in increased capacity and performance right across the organisation.
It is imperative that we review the program, assess progress made to date and undertake further development sessions to assist in continuing to change our organisational culture.
In this regard Mr Gourlay is planning to return to Australia in November 2018 and it is proposed to engage Mr Gourlay for further sessions with Councillors and staff to review the progress to date and provide further assistance for the future.
Member for Cootamundra the Hon Steph Cooke MP today announced public libraries in NSW will be able to expand their collections, carry out major upgrade works and extend their services thanks to a record $60 million investment from the NSW Government.
This funding will transform and modernise public libraries, especially those in regional areas, delivering key services and educational and cultural experiences across the entire state. This is an investment in libraries that will provide for a wide range of community needs such as better access to collections, children’s services a, public IT, connectivity, events and programs.
The money will be used to extend opening hours, expand books collections, deliver English lessons, provide HSC study help and classes to outreach programs for seniors. It will also enable smaller libraries to expand and deliver mobile library services in remote locations, among other initiatives.
All Councils will receive an increase in their annual library subsidy funding of between 40 to 50 per cent by 2022-2023.
The $24 million for infrastructure grants will transform public libraries and ensure they can grow with and support their communities.
The Riverina Police District are inviting landholders and interested parties to a Rural Crime Information Forum to be held at 5pm on Monday 10 September, at Temora Ex Services Memorial Club.
There will be a presentation on new rural crime strategies and the police would like to hear your suggestions and concerns regarding the prevention and investigation of stock theft, illegal hunting, trespass and all other forms of rural-related crime.
There will also be time for informal discussion afterwards with the hosts, regarding rural crime and associated issues.
Please RSVP to Bob Noble Riverina Police District by the 7 September 2018 Ph 6922 2602 or Email
The Mobile Blood Service will be visiting Grenfell next Tuesday 11 September, 2018 and will be stationed at Vaughn Park. Blood donations will be accepted from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. The Australian Red Cross Blood Service encourages anyone who wishes to make a blood donation to:
Drink up! – Have 3 or 4 glasses of water or juice in the hours before you donate. Eat! – Have a good sized breakfast or lunch. Bring photo I.D. with you.Every blood donation saves three lives so by rolling up your sleeve and giving blood you are helping make a huge difference in the lives of many people.
To make an appointment call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au
The 142nd Grenfell Show was held on Friday 31st August and Saturday 1st September 2018 and was an outstanding success.
A very big crowd attended over the two days enjoying the many activities on offer even though the weather wasn’t ideal. The spectacular fireworks on Friday night were certainly a very popular highlight and were enjoyed by the crowd. The Grenfell Show is a major event on our tourism events calendar for the year and Council certainly appreciated the many hours of preparation and planning that was undertaken by the committees in organising the event.
Congratulations to Grenfell Show President Peter Brown and Ladies Show Auxiliary President Joan Eppelstun and their respective committees for the excellent manner in which the show was held.
The current exhibition at the Grenfell Art Gallery is "The Call of the Wild" by a group of creators in NSW called the Wilderists which opened yesterday 4 September, 2018 and is on display until 14 October 2018.
"Wilderism" n. represents artists that go into the wilderness to seek inspiration and connection to 'place' through direct experience. These artists then create from their heart without regard for accepted ways of creating but rather seek to develop through loose and energetic techniques the raw forces seen in nature itself.
The Art Gallery is open Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturday 10am - 3pm & Sunday 10am -2pm.
Finally, a reminder that the Caragabal Sheep Races will be held this Saturday 8 September, 2018. This event is getting bigger every year and is certainly a fantastic event which brings the whole community together. Good luck to all of the organisers who have no doubt given freely of their time to ensure the event is another outstanding success.
Dates to Note
Friday 7 September 2018 –Recycling Collection (Grenfell East)
Monday 10 September 2018 – Recycling Collection (Grenfell West)
Street Stalls
Friday 7 September 2018 – Grenfell Royal Far West
Saturday 8 September 2018 - Wires
WEDDIN SHIRE COUNCIL
SALE OF COUNCIL CAR
Council offers for sale one (1) Council Car as follows:
2013 Toyota Aurion- 4 Door Sedan, light blue colour, petrol, automatic, 140000 km, registration 18/03/2019. Rego. Number – BV19YWInspections can be arranged by contacting Councils Director Engineering Mr Raju Ranjit Ph 6343 1212.
Offers for this vehicle will be received by the undersigned up to 10:00 am Wednesday 19th September 2018.
PO BOX 125 AUTHORISED BY
GRENFELL GLENN CARROLL
GENERAL MANAGER