Minutes of the ordinary Council meeting - 25 September 2012

RECOMMENDATION IMPLICATIONS
Environmental, Policy or Statutory: Nil
Social: The implications of the recommendation will result in assistance being
provided to a community group which has raised considerable funds on their own
for improvement of the community‟s infrastructure. Council support for the
Swimming Club may encourage other community groups to actively work towards
improving the community‟s infrastructure in other areas of the shire.
Economic (Financial): Whilst the Kempsey Swimming Club is proposing to fully
fund the actual costs of the work by way of a cash contribution to Council, there is
still effectively a cost to Council in administering and accounting for the proposed
expenditure. This will have a minor impact upon resources that would otherwise be
used to achieve the goals in the Operating Plan and is considered a cost effective
way for Council to work with the community in delivering improved infrastructure
outcomes.
There is no specific capital cost to Council.
REPORT DETAILS
Council has received a submission from the Kempsey Swimming Club proposing to
fund the installation of a shelter structure and seating on the western end of the 50
metre pool in the McElhone Memorial Baths in Kempsey. The Club is proposing to
provide Council with a cash contribution for the construction of the project. A copy
of the submission from the Club is attached in (Appendix E – Page IS38) for
further information.
Essentially, the Club is seeking Council to project manage the works on their behalf
and engage the contractor directly. This arrangement provides a minor financial
benefit to the Swimming Club, at minimal additional cost to Council.
Supporting the club in this way would result in the allocation of resources to this
unplanned project to issue the purchase order and supervise the contractor. Even if
Council was not involved directly in the project, the same resources would be
required to approve and administer works undertaken by the club upon Council‟s
land. There would be no reason for Council to refuse consent to the club to
undertake the work and hence Council is committed to some level of resourcing to
this project.
The additional resources required if Council is to manage the project directly would
not be considerable relative to the proportion of the contribution from the
Swimming Club. A development application has already been submitted and
approved for the project and more recently, an application was lodged for funding
through the programs offered by the NSW Sport and Recreation. Considering the
support by the Swimming Club, the project is likely to receive funding under the
grant application program.
It is recommended that Council resolve to support the Swimming Club on the basis
that there is no direct additional cost to Council.
9 MAYORAL MINUTES
Kempsey Shire Council FULL TEXT Minutes Ordinary Meeting 25 September 2012 Page 47