2023-02-07 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   7 FEBRUARY 2023




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                  7 FEBRUARY 2023

              e   The impact of the unforeseen significant rise in inflation, interest rates and CPI, and
                  the disproportionately greater impact it has had on the communities in rural, remote,
                  and regional areas since the start of the 2022 calendar year, as observed and
                  reported to the Commission.

              e   The current observed volatility and uncertainty regarding inflation, and the impact of
                  this on councils and their constituents.

              e   The importance of maintaining wages growth in a sustainable and fiscally
                  responsible manner, while measures are being taken by other government
                  authorities to combat inflation.

              e   The need to ensure financial sustainability of local governments and the diverse
                  communities they serve.

              e   Local governments’ role in Queensland’s economic development and innovation,

              The Commission gratefully acknowledges the increased number of submissions it
              received this year which have assisted in its discharge of its statutory obligations.

              Councillor advisors

              The Commission did not receive any direction or request to make recommendations
              relating to councillor advisors in the period between 1 December 2021 to 30 November
              2022.

              Category review and future actions

              The Act requires the Commission to review the categories of local governments once every
              four years, in the year prior to each quadrennial election. The next review of the categories
              is due in 2023.
              In its 2019 report, the Commission determined not to make any category changes to the
              categories of local government.

              In its 2019 and subsequent reports, the Commission stated its intention to undertake an
              analysis of the categories and category system in the period 2021-2023, with the intention
              of commencing after the 2021 quadrennial Queensland Local Government Elections. This
              anticipated analysis was delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
              COVID-19 inevitably resulted in an increased focus on other priorities for Queensland local
              government. The Commission commends all local government members for their on-going
              contribution to their communities and the State of Queensland in the recent and
              consecutively challenging years,

              The Commission has advised of its intention to proceed with a general review of
              categories and the category system during 2023, and will engage with, and invite
              submissions   from,  councils  and  stakeholders commencing in      early 2023. The

      LOCAL GOVERNMENT REMUNERATION COMMISSION | ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22                                   9

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