Just as soon as there is a ruckus about issues like rates the bureaucrats and politician emerge from the haze around an issue to try to put some kind of spin on it – here it is rate hikes in Launceston. Read with an eye to the spin, this story reveals much and mostly that Local Govt. management is not all that interested in pensioners' plight. There is no empathy here for the pensioner's ability to pay.If you are managing a Local Govt. budget it is within your interests that the gross budget is as high as possible given that salaries tend to be set in relation to the budget being managed. A diminishing budget offers no incentive for a manager looking for an incremental salary rise.
Perhaps more to the point is the opacity of Launceston City Council's budget. Apparently the Auditor General finds the method of reporting acceptable but a ratepayer trying to make sense of it – even ratepayers with accounting backgrounds – find the budget not all that informative. One might think that shareholders in a large corporation might well find them wanting in their style of presentation and their relative opacity.
For instance, it has been reported to TRA that when asked at a recent public meeting concerning the budget, the relevant council officers were unable to identify what proportion of the Councils debt was attributable to an aspect of Council operations – and thus its impact upon rates. If ratepayers are unable to garner this kind of information, even on notice, it is little wonder that Aldermen do not seem to have a handle on this kind of issue – the TRA would be happy to hear from any Launceston Alderman that did.
It seems that it is time for ratepayers to begin to lobby for not only transparency in reporting but also clarity. The State Govt. needs to be setting a minimum standard that includes program funding and thus program budgeting along with line item reporting.
Petar Hill
2 comments:
Congratulations on the new website, Tasmanian Ratepayers Association. I’m encouraged by the professional content of your site and see it as a way for community engagement regarding transparency and accountability in the way councils do business.
Social inclusion will deliver social harmony outcomes, and what better way is there for community to contribute for the common good. Your blog site offers this opportunity for local government and community to build a working relationship.
Having recently attended a conference on sustainable living and climate change, only reinforces my resolve that we can do better, and must step up to the plate to bring about a more sustainable and community orientated future.
Open space and social interaction coupled with a revue on recycling of waste, renewable energy options, and a complete revue of planning policy statewide can bring about sustainability as the finite mineral resources pass their tipping point.
I cannot over emphasize the need for more open community consultation as part of the process. I have seen how it can benefit development partnerships and give certainty and assurance to developers, both domestic and in the business sector. It doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it. Public forums will go a long way to deliver acceptable policy that fits within statutory frameworks.
Rates and the AAV are always contentious and I know that there has to be a better method of setting rates, perhaps your site would be a good platform to start the process. Certainly the subject is topical and everyone has an opinion. Why not engage community and contribute to the discussion.
Positive proposals can deliver positive outcomes. Criticism is valid but it it is more productive if followed by suggestions for improvement.
Recent criticism at a public meeting held by council, highlighted the need for line iteming in the budget spreadsheet. The blurring of boundaries led to confusion and frustrated for those wishing more clarification. If we are to truly engage in open and transparent representation, then perhaps we need look at the way we do business, starting with the budget bottom line.
There are many more possibilities that can be explored, and this may be the right forum to commence the process. I look forward to being a regular communicator in the discussion. I believe in a peoples council policy where we all can contribute towards better and conciliatory outcomes. It can all start here. More positive input please.
--
From the desk of:
Ian Norton,
Alderman,
Launceston City Council,
Town Hall, St. John Street, 7250
Phone: 0407 951 437 (24 hour)
Congratulations on the new website, Tasmanian Ratepayers Association. I’m encouraged by the professional content of your site and see it as a way for community engagement regarding transparency and accountability in the way councils do business.
Social inclusion will deliver social harmony outcomes, and what better way is there for community to contribute for the common good. Your blog site offers this opportunity for local government and community to build a working relationship.
Having recently attended a conference on sustainable living and climate change, only reinforces my resolve that we can do better, and must step up to the plate to bring about a more sustainable and community orientated future.
Open space and social interaction coupled with a revue on recycling of waste, renewable energy options, and a complete revue of planning policy statewide can bring about sustainability as the finite mineral resources pass their tipping point.
I cannot over emphasize the need for more open community consultation as part of the process. I have seen how it can benefit development partnerships and give certainty and assurance to developers, both domestic and in the business sector. It doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it. Public forums will go a long way to deliver acceptable policy that fits within statutory frameworks.
Rates and the AAV are always contentious and I know that there has to be a better method of setting rates, perhaps your site would be a good platform to start the process. Certainly the subject is topical and everyone has an opinion. Why not engage community and contribute to the discussion.
Positive proposals can deliver positive outcomes. Criticism is valid but it it is more productive if followed by suggestions for improvement.
Recent criticism at a public meeting held by council, highlighted the need for line iteming in the budget spreadsheet. The blurring of boundaries led to confusion and frustrated for those wishing more clarification. If we are to truly engage in open and transparent representation, then perhaps we need look at the way we do business, starting with the budget bottom line.
There are many more possibilities that can be explored, and this may be the right forum to commence the process. I look forward to being a regular communicator in the discussion. I believe in a peoples council policy where we all can contribute towards better and conciliatory outcomes. It can all start here. More positive input please.
--
From the desk of:
Ian Norton,
Alderman,
Launceston City Council,
Town Hall, St. John Street, 7250
Phone: 0407 951 437 (24 hour)
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