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Your Community Newspaper ~ Roxby Downs
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Volume 4, Thursday 26th July, 2007
BOARD UPSET OVER PLAN
The Roxby Downs Community Board has severely criticized the process undertaken by the Council Administrator, Bill Boehm in releasing the council’s Draft Business Plan for public comment. In addressing a public hearing on the Plan, which outlines components for the council’s coming budget, Chairperson of the Board, Chris Schultz expressed his disappointment that the Board had not been consulted on the development of the Plan. He told the hearing, chaired by the Administrator, that it would have been better to have asked the Board for input rather than undertake the process that he did in releasing the Plan. “It is noted that there has been no consultation with the Roxby Downs Community Board in relation to the development of the Plan, and that it was not identified at the latest Board meeting that the Plan was going to be put out for public comment that week,” Mr Schultz said in the Board’s submission. “In order to gain complete community acceptance of this Plan, a detailed budget breakdown needs to be provided. “The Community Board would appreciate the opportunity to review the budget and provide comment,” he said. “The Business Plan makes note of the Strategic Management Plan adopted by the Council on 12 June 2007. “Once again the Community Board would be interested to receive a copy of this plan and notes that it had no involvement in the development of this plan either. Mr Schultz then went into specifics claiming a business plan is required for the proposed upgrade of the Cultural
EE Y R F TR EN
Precinct and provision of other facilities which should be available for public review and comment to ensure budgeted funds are being spent to meet the community objectives. “It is possible that these items are included in the Strategic Management Plan, however as a copy has not been reviewed it is unknown whether these items have been covered,” he said. He suggested to the Administrator that the provision of a 3-5 year budget strategy in detail would be beneficial and is requested to provide the Community Board with an understanding of the Council’s ‘bigger picture’ to facilitate a greater and informed contribution by the Community Board. In its submission the Board said it is unclear what the changes to the rating system are and what the impact of the change is. It suggested further explanation would be beneficial. Mr Boehm told the hearing there are a lot of myths about the council’s rating process. “We’re unusual compared to other councils in that we are not self funding. “If we were like the others then we would know what our projected income would be and that would enable us to plan accordingly,” he said. “Any increase in rates must be approved by BHP Billiton under the terms of our Indenture agreement. “Rates must be set by the end of August and the State Government and BHP Billiton normally have three weeks to accept the council budget which should be adopted in the last week of August,” Mr Continued on Page 4 Boehm said.
Above: Jermaine Treloar back pocket player with the Coober Pedy Saints Football Club.
Next week an exclusive look at the Saints as The Monitor joins them on the road.
The Education and Workplace Training Forum presents:
Outback Careers & Employment Expo
Cultural Precinct Auditorium Thursday August 2nd, 9.00am - 6.00pm and Friday August 3rd, 9.00am - 12 noon Apprenticeships
Speakers Sessions
Employers Network Evening
Traineeships
Career Advice
Thursday 2nd, 6.30pm
Tertiary Study
Industry Advice
Drinks and Refreshments
SA Great Teachers and Parents Forum Thursday 2nd, 7.00pm Theatrette
For more information see Pages 3 &18 in today’s paper!