2021-09-13 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                              13 SEPTEMBER 2021


More information about the Council of Mayors (SEQ) can be found on their website -
https://seqmayors.qld.gov.au/
At any given time, the Council of Mayors (SEQ) is working through different projects and issues,
some of which have long-term implications. The Olympics bid would be a good example of such an
approach. However, it is important to note that the Council of Mayors (SEQ) will not be the planning
authority for the Olympics. Nevertheless, there will be an opportunity to engage with other SEQ
councils on this topic through this forum. It is likely to be a major focus of the organisation in the
coming years.
At different points in time, the Council of Mayors (SEQ) also operates various working groups which
provide an opportunity for Councillors to get involved in policy development/major projects that have
an impact on SEQ. If we are successful in our application to join the Council of Mayors (SEQ), we
would be advised of potential opportunities for our elected representatives to be involved in such
working groups.
For the information of Council, being a member of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) is not a precondition
to be involved in the SEQ Regional Plan process. They are two separate processes/entities and our
Council is already involved in the Regional Plan review process regardless of our proposed
membership of the Council of Mayors (SEQ).
The CEO has been in discussions with the CEO of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) about potential
membership. The process is that our Council would need to apply for membership and the current
board would consider that application. No issues are anticipated as part of that process. Once our
membership is ratified, we would be invited to future meetings and participate as a full member of
the organisation. Obviously, it is the Mayor who represents each Council at that forum. Individual
Councillors will have the opportunity to engage once we have more information about various
Council of Mayors (SEQ) working groups.
Previous Council Consideration
Nil
Finance
Council will be required to pay an annual membership fee to the Council of Mayors (SEQ). This fee
is calculated on a pro rata population basis between the different member Councils. This means that
larger councils like Brisbane pay proportionally more than smaller councils like Noosa. We have
been advised that the approximate cost for membership on an annual basis will be around $35,000.
This will be confirmed by the Council of Mayors (SEQ) once we make an application and
subsequently be referred to Budget Review 2 for consideration of Council.
Further, the Council of Mayors (SEQ) sometimes undertakes major projects which are then funded
through an extra subscription by member Councils. There are no such current projects which would
require an additional contribution by our Council at this point in time. Past examples would include
submissions on the Olympics, negotiations on the SEQ City Deal etc. Funding of these projects are
determined by the Council of Mayors (SEQ) and are then normally also determined on the pro rata
population basis between different member councils. As an example, if a new project emerged to
be funded through the Council of Mayors (SEQ), our Council would be requested for proportional
funding which may double the amount of the annual subscription.
Risks & Opportunities
With the awarding of the Olympics to Brisbane, joining the Council of Mayors (SEQ) provides an
opportunity for our Council to engage more closely with other SEQ local governments as the region
works through the planning phase over the next 11 years.
Being a member of a Regional Organisation of Council also provides opportunities for our Councillors
to engage with elected representatives from other local governments and to join various Council of
Mayors (SEQ) working groups that deal with specific topics (e.g. waste management). More
information about those potential working groups will be available if our membership application is
accepted.

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