Long Term Financial Plan 2022-2023

Council would like to thank the 24 Participants in this consultation who provided their feedback. The community engagement outcomes report is available here.

A report was presented to Council on Tuesday 26 April 2022, see pages 62 -115.

Council resolved:

1. That the report be received and noted

2. To adopt the 2022-23 Long Term Financial Plan, as contained in Appendix 1 to this report, in accordance with Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1999.

We have recently reviewed our Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) and updated it for projections in Council’s planned activities over a ten year timeframe.

Impacts on Council’s operating surplus in the last 12 months

This review highlighted that Council has made a number of budget decisions since the 2021-22 LTFP adoption that has impacted on Council’s expenditure base. Additional costs that have impacted on Council’s Operating Surplus were the result of:

• Additional green waste days provided to the community
• Additional bridge maintenance requirements as per the Asset Management Plan - Bridges adopted by Council in February 2022
• Cloud transition / cyber security / licencing changes
• Insurance increases and distribution reductions
• Local Government Reforms

These above cost imposts have been included in the 2022-23 LTFP.

New strategies/services for inclusion in the 2022-23 LTFP

The following strategies/services (several of which have undergone community consultation and resolution by Council in the last year) have now been costed and considered appropriate to include in the 2022-23 LTFP:

• Implementation of the Community & Recreation Facilities Framework
• Implementation of the Trails Framework (Operating)
• New development maintenance costs including Hamilton Hill and Dunfield
• Dog/cat temporary accommodation as a result of new cat registration bylaws

Saving and Efficiency Strategy

Having regard to the emerging cost pressures and new strategies (as highlighted above), the Administration has proposed the adoption of a detailed savings and efficiency strategy to improve Council’s Operating Surplus over the period of the LTFP. Consultation for the 2021-22 Annual Business Plan also highlighted that the community wished to better understand how Council was being more efficient in their business as usual activities to limit rate rises to as low as possible.

Items under the saving & efficiency strategy include:

• critical examination of all materials, contract & other expenses to determine if Council can maintain existing budgets where contracts and costs are not linked to CPI or regular increases
• consideration of strategies to increase electronic rate notices including opt out
• changes to payment options and consideration of surcharges for credit card use
• fleet management opportunities
• insourcing opportunities including for tree management
• opportunities in management of leave and vacancies
• other savings opportunities including cleaning and electricity

Further information on the LTFP 2022-23 can be found under FAQ's or in the LTFP. Alternatively, copies of the Long Term Financial Plan and hardcopy feedback forms are available at all Libraries / Customer Service Centers at Woodside, Gumeracha and Stirling. If you would prefer a hard copy posted please call our team on 8400 0400 or email engage@ahc.sa.gov.au

The results of the feedback provided will be discussed with Council and incorporated into the Final Long Term Financial Plan prior to consideration of the 2022-23 Annual Business Plan and Budget.

You can Have Your Say by:

1. Preferably using the online feedback form below.
2. Sending an email to engage@ahc.sa.gov.au
3. Writing a letter to Community Engagement Coordinator PO Box 44, Woodside SA 5244
4. Phoning 8408 0400
5. Collecting a hardcopy information sheet and feedback form from any Council Service Centre or Library at Stirling, Gumeracha or Woodside and return to the customer service centre, email or postal address as indicated above.

Opportunity to provide feedback closes 4pm, Tuesday 22 March 2022.