City Of Cockburn Minutes – SMRC RRRC WCF Odour Issue – 12 February 2009
16.1 (MINUTE NO 3898) (OCM 12/2/2009) – SOUTHERN METROPOLITAN REGIONAL COUNCIL MEMBER REPRESENTATION (4994) (M LITTLETON)
RECOMMENDATION
That Council resolve to appoint Clr ______________ as its representative to the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council (SMRC).
COUNCIL DECISION
MOVED Clr I Whitfield SECONDED Clr S Limbert that Council appoint Clr Romano as its representative to the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council (SMRC).
Reason for Decision
Clr Romano’s business experience in the financial services industry, would make a valuable contribution to the SMRC and act as a suitable representative of the City.
Background
The Southern Metropolitan Regional Council (SMRC) currently acts as a disposal point for all of the City of Cockburn’s domestic waste (i.e. waste generated by our residential properties). It operates a multifaceted waste management facility which uses alternative waste treatment technology to maximize the recovery of MSW (municipal solid waste) and to divert as much waste as possible away from landfill.
The facility consists of a number of treatment processes including:
• Waste composting facility – which subjects MSW to a process of segregation, anaerobic digestion and microbial stabilization to produce compost and residual waste.
• Material recovery facility – separation of recyclable waste stream.
• Green waste – shreds and processes clean green waste stream.
The SMRC is a Regional Council made up the municipal districts of the City of Cockburn, City of Rockingham, City of Fremantle, Town of East Fremantle, City of Canning, Town of Kwinana and City of Melville. It is formally constituted under the auspices of the Local Government Act 1995 and must comply with that legislation. It was established to plan, develop, coordinate and implement sustainable waste management solutions and greenhouse gas abatement programs with, and for, its 7 member Councils and their communities.
Submission
Seeking a City of Cockburn representative on the SMRC Council.
Report
The City of Cockburn is one of the original member councils of the SMRC and currently holds a 26.95% stake in the RRRC business (a contingent liability of approximately $13M). As such, Council is eligible to have a voting member on the board. Council’s current representative on the SMRC Council was (former) Mayor Stephen Lee
however due to his resignation on 7 January 2008; a vacancy now
exists to represent the interests of the City of Cockburn.
The issue of waste management is a complex one and the SMRC business continues to face many challenges. It is essential that Council has a representative on the Regional Council and fulfills its decision making obligations. The position would be ideally suited to an Elected Member who has a strong understanding of business finance and is interested in progressing waste minimisation philosophy.
The advantages of the SMRC councils include:-
1. Opportunities in resource sharing and economies of scale – by working collectively, Council staff will share information and expertise and save time in developing possible future activities for implementation.
2. SMRC councils have demonstrated a collective approach works and these examples have provided a good working model.
3 Financial incentives by working together in developing joint initiatives, councils can then apply for AGO funding on a regional scale. This will provide greater opportunities to access large funding sources. It is recommended that Council nominate an Elected Member as its representative on the SMRC Council.
Structure
The Southern Metropolitan Regional Council comprises of one delegate from each member local government with equal voting rights, except the Chairman who may exercise a second vote where the vote is a tie. The tenure of members of the Regional Council continues until the member ceases to be a member of the participating Council or until the member is removed by the participant Council.
The Regional Council meets 7 times per year, on the fourth Thursday of the month commencing at 5.00 p.m. Special meetings and Councillor briefing sessions may be held from time to time. Standing Committees represented by regional councillors are:
• Audit Committee,
• Public Relations Committee
• CEO Remuneration Committee
Councillor’s Annual Allowance Fee $7,000
IT Annual Allowance $1,000
Total fees p.a. $8,000
The 2009 Council meeting dates are:
Thursday 26 February 2009 Town of East Fremantle
Thursday 23 April 2009 City of Fremantle
Thursday 28 May 2009 City of Melville
Thursday 25 June 2009 Town of Kwinana
Thursday 23 July 2009 City of Rockingham
Thursday 24 September 2009 City of Canning
Thursday 26 November 2009 City of Cockburn
These meetings will all commence at 5.00 p.m. in the respective Council Chambers/Rooms.
Strategic Plan/Policy Implications
Governance Excellence
• To conduct Council business in open public forums and to manage Council affairs by employing publicly accountable
practices.
Natural Environmental Management
• To ensure development of the district is undertaken in such a way that the balance between the natural and human
environment is maintained.
Budget/Financial Implications
The SMRC Council decisions impact on the City of Cockburn because their fees and charges are used as part of the equation to derive the annual service charge levied to our residents.
Legal Implications
Local Government Act 1995.
Community Consultation
N/A
Attachment(s)
N/A
Advice to Proponent(s)/Submissioners
N/A
Implications of Section 3.18(3) Local Government Act, 1995
Nil.
CLR OLILVER LEFT THE MEETING AT THIS POINT THE TIME BEING 8.19 PM
DECLARATION OF INTEREST
The Presiding Member advised the meeting that he had received a declaration of interest from Clr Oliver, pursuant to Section 5.60B(2)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1995, on the following item. The nature of the interest being that her property is in close proximity to the Roe Highway Road Reserve.
