Meeting papers

SPECIAL MEETING                                                                           30 JUNE 2025


is considered compassionate, equitable, transparent, responsive to the landowner’s capacity to pay
and financially responsible, having regard to Council obligation to maintain its financial sustainability.


Hardship may arise in situations such as loss of employment, family breakdown, health issues,
disaster, passing of family members, or other extenuating unforeseen factors. Upon application, the
ratepayer may be entitled for up to one to two years (depending on criteria) interest free terms to
establish a payment program on overdue rates. The policy remains current with only minor
grammatical and formatting changes being made.

8.    Rates and Charges Debt Management and Recovery Policy
The Rates and Charges Debt Management and Recovery Policy provides a structured and
transparent approach to the management and recovery of overdue rates and charges. The policy
ensures that Council exercises its rates and charges recovery powers in accordance with Chapter
4, Part 12 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, in a manner that supports financial
sustainability while promoting fairness and consistency in debt recovery practices.
The policy outlines the processes for identifying and managing overdue accounts, the use of
reminder notices and recovery actions, and the circumstances under which payment arrangements,
hardship provisions, or legal recovery may be applied. Its purpose is to maximise the timely collection
of revenue, minimise the level of outstanding debt, and ensure all ratepayers are treated equitably
and respectfully.
This external policy replaces the former internal organisational policy and was workshopped with
Councillors during the development of the 2025/26 Budget.


9.    Management of Restricted Cash Policy
The Management of Restricted Cash Policy outlines the internal and external restricted cash
reserves required for cash management to ensure that Council can meet its regulatory requirements,
allocate funds for specific future projects and activities and ensure sufficient working capital is
available to meet current and long-term financial obligations. The policy remains current with only
minor grammatical and formatting changes being made.


10. Financial Securities Policy
The Financial Securities Policy establishes a consistent framework for the acceptance,
management, and release of financial securities such as bank guarantees and bonds. These
securities are typically required from developers, contractors, or lessees to ensure compliance with
conditions of approval, fulfilment of contractual obligations, or to secure the future rectification of
works.
The policy outlines the circumstances in which financial securities are required, acceptable forms of
security, and the processes for their assessment, monitoring, and return. It aims to safeguard
Council’s financial and operational interests by mitigating the risk of non-compliance or incomplete
works, while providing transparency and certainty for external parties engaging with Council.
11.     Entertainment and Hospitality Expenditure Policy
The purpose of the Entertainment and Hospitality Expenditure Policy is to provide clarity and
direction to Councillors and Council officers regarding reasonable and appropriate expenditure on
entertainment and hospitality, and to ensure legislative and community standards are met. Following
a detailed review in 2023, the policy remains current, with only minor grammatical and formatting
changes being made.




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