Decision details

Memorandum by the Chief Executive Officer

To Council:

This memorandum seeks Council's consideration of the nomination of Councillors as voting delegates to the Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Annual Conference, to be held from Sunday 12 to Tuesday 14 November 2023 at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Parramatta.

The conference is the main policy-making event for the local government sector. Delegates will vote on motions which determine the policies and priorities for Local Government NSW and the sector.

The draft conference program is not yet available. Information will be available in the coming months.

Councillors will receive email notifications directly from Local Government NSW, but should direct questions or requests to Secretariat, who will coordinate and manage all arrangements with Local Government NSW on behalf of Councillors, including conference registrations and voting registrations.

Registration as a Voting Delegate

The City of Sydney will be entitled to register up to 10 voting delegates for motions. It is proposed that Council nominates the Lord Mayor and all Councillors as voting delegates.

Voting delegates may not appoint a proxy to attend or vote at formal business sessions on their behalf. Registrations for voting on motions will be managed by Secretariat.

Conference Program/Motions

The conference will include discussion and debate on a range of motions from councils relating to current and emerging policy issues facing local government in NSW.

All members can put forward motions to be considered at the conference, which should be strategic, affect members state-wide, and introduce new or emerging policy issues and actions.

Members submitting motions are encouraged to be familiar with the Local Government NSW Policy Platform, at: https://www.lgnsw.org.au/policy/policy-platform. The purpose of this Policy Platform is to consolidate the numerous policies and positions of Local Government NSW – as determined by members – into a single document for ease of reference for members and stakeholders.

Members are asked to submit motions by 15 September 2023. The latest date for submission of motions and inclusion in the conference business paper is 14 October 2023.

The full conference business paper is expected to be available one week prior to the conference.

Councillors' Expenses and Facilities Policy

Councillors Chan, Davis, Ellsmore, Scott and Scully were the City of Sydney delegates at the 2022 Local Government NSW Annual Conference held in the Hunter Valley.

Expenditure incurred for the conference totalled $12,328.21. The Councillors' Expenses and Facilities Policy provides for Councillors to attend the Local Government NSW Annual Conference at the City’s expense. Funds are available in the draft 2023/24 operating budget to cover registration fees, travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by Councillors.

MONICA BARONE

Chief Executive Officer

Recommendation

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council appoint the Lord Mayor and all Councillors as its voting delegates at the Local Government NSW Annual Conference, to be held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Parramatta from Sunday 12 to Tuesday 14 November 2023;

(B)       Council note all registration fees, travel costs and other reasonable expenses associated with the attendance of Councillors at the Local Government NSW Annual Conference will be met by the City in accordance with the Councillors' Expenses and Facilities Policy; and

(C)       Council note that a spouse, partner or other person may accompany a Councillor at the conference, and the City will meet any associated ticket costs.

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Kok -

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council appoint the Lord Mayor and all Councillors as its voting delegates at the Local Government NSW Annual Conference, to be held at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Parramatta from Sunday 12 to Tuesday 14 November 2023;

(B)       Council note all registration fees, travel costs and other reasonable expenses associated with the attendance of Councillors at the Local Government NSW Annual Conference will be met by the City in accordance with the Councillors' Expenses and Facilities Policy; and

(C)       Council note that a spouse, partner or other person may accompany a Councillor at the conference, and the City will meet any associated ticket costs.

Carried unanimously.

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