17-18 – Increase to companion animal registration fees in line with CPI
From 1 July 2017 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.
17-17 – Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy – Better Practice Template
A better practice Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy template (the Policy template) has been developed and is being made available for use by all councils.
17-16 – Transition from Administration to the Integrated Planning and Reporting framework for merged councils
This Circular provides advice to those councils proclaimed in 2016 in relation to Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) in the lead-up to their first local government elections on 9 September 2017.
17-15 – Release of Discussion Paper – Review of Companion Animals Regulation 2008
The NSW Government is undertaking a statutory review to remake the Companion Animals Regulation 2008 (the Regulation) prior to its automatic repeal on 1 September 2018. Two separate consultations are being undertaken as part of the review. A Discussion Paper about the Regulation has been released for public comment, marking the start of the review.
17-14 – Elections for councils affected by merger proposals on 9 September 2017
On 7 April 2017 the Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Gabrielle Upton MP, issued an order under section 318C(1) of the Local Government Act 1993 nominating 9 September 2017 as the date on which elections will be held for councils that are the subject of pending and discontinued merger proposals.
17-11 – Council decision-making prior to the September 2017 local government elections
Clause 393B of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 limits councils’ ability to exercise some of their functions in the four weeks preceding the date of a local government election (the caretaker period).
17-12 – “Electoral matter” and use of council resources prior to local government elections
Council officials (including Administrators) must not use council resources, property (including intellectual property), and facilities for the purposes of assisting their election campaign or the election campaign of others unless the use is lawfully authorised and proper payment is made where appropriate.
17-13 – Preparation of non-residential rolls
The Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) requires council general managers to prepare and confirm the rolls of non-resident owners, occupiers and ratepaying lessees of rateable land in the council’s area (the non-residential rolls).
17-10 – Final Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting
The final Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting (Code) (Update 25) is available for preparing councils’ 2016/17 financial statements. Relevant council staff should note key changes made to this year’s Code.
17-09 – Information about Rating 2017-18
The maximum Boarding House Tariffs and maximum interest rate chargeable on overdue rates and charges for 2017-18 has been determined.