The Office of Local Government has prepared a Guidance Paper, which provides councils with specific direction on adopting the new standards.Further guidance material and information on the new standards will be provided in 2018-19.

The NSW Parliament has passed the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2018, which contains a number of amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act).

The Local Government Remuneration Tribunal (the Tribunal) has determined an increase of 2.5% to mayoral and councillor fees for the 2018/19 financial year, with effect from 1 July 2018. The Tribunal also reviewed the criteria that apply to the categories of councils and the allocation of councils into those categories. The categories enable the Tribunal to determine the maximum and minimum amounts of fees to be paid to mayors and councillors in each of the categories.

End of year financial reporting information has been updated for 2017-18. Councils need to review the attached end of year financial reporting information and apply it when completing their Financial Statements and their Financial Data Return (FDR).

From 1 July 2018 cat and dog lifetime registration fees will increase in line with the Consumer Price Index as required by the Companion Animals Regulation 2008 and outlined in Circular to Councils 13-54.

Local councils will commence management of Crown reserves under the Local Government Act 1993 from 1 July, and must be ready to start the transition to the new requirements from that date.

Councils are encouraged to review the report and continue working towards strengthening governance, financial management and reporting in the local government sector. Councils are also encouraged to engage early and work with their auditors to continue to improve the quality and timeliness of financial reporting.

The Local Government Skills Strategy (LGSS) is being rolled out to councils across the State following a successful pilot program.The program provides local councils with better access to quality professional training to help them meet the demands of a modern local government environment.

The Guide defines an unsolicited proposal as “an approach to Government from a proponent with a proposal to deal directly with the Government over a commercial proposition, where the Government has not requested the proposal”. This may include proposals to build and/or finance infrastructure, provide goods or services, or undertake a major commercial transaction.

The Companion Animals Regulation 2008 (the Regulation) is undergoing statutory review by the NSW Government. The Regulation, which is made under the Companion Animals Act 1998, provides key information about how companion animals (pet cats and dogs) are identified, registered and managed in NSW.