At its General Meeting last night (Wednesday 23 February), Hornsby Shire Council tabled its latest Performance Report, outlining better-than-expected progress with its 2021−2022 Delivery Program, Operational Plan, and Budget outcomes.
The Delivery Program and Operational Plan set out how Council delivers services to the Hornsby Shire community and then measures its performance.
"This Performance Report provides updates on the progress of actions within Council's Delivery Program for the first half of the 2021/22 financial year and a review of Council's budget situation for the second quarter of the same year," said Hornsby Shire Mayor, Philip Ruddock.
"It covers Council projects such as our park and playground upgrades at Hopeville Park and Galston Recreation Reserve; the refurbishment of the Brooklyn Boardwalk (pictured); the installation of pedestrian paths and lighting at Kenley Park in Normanhurst, and many, many other Council initiatives.
"It also covers operational highlights such as Council's extensive community consultations to update Hornsby Shire's Disability Inclusion Action Plan, to develop our new Healthy Ageing Strategy, and to review Council's Community Strategic Plan at the start of the new Council term.
"It also reports on initiatives such as the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Council with Hornsby Chamber of Commerce to grow the local economy and jobs.
"The budget review covers the second quarterly period for the 2021/22 financial year. The good news is that despite the very challenging circumstances, we still forecast a Council budget surplus of $704,000 – due mainly to Council's good track record in financial management.
"The Performance Report details a great many excellent outcomes, all the more welcome given the extraordinary circumstances of the second half of 2021, not least being the ongoing impacts of the COVID pandemic.
"Throughout the second half of 2021, Council continued to deliver the highest possible levels of service to the community," said Mayor Ruddock.
Other items of note at last night's meeting included:
- Council resolved to enter into a Partnership Agreement to deliver the Service NSW for Business Program
- Council resolved to put on public exhibition a review of its Code of Meeting Practice
- Council tabled a report on its Investments and Borrowings for 2021−2022
- Council tabled a report on Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy
- Council resolved to appoint one delegate − in addition to the Mayor − and two alternative delegates to the Board of the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (NSROC)
- Council tabled a report of Variations to Development Standards.
The full agenda of the meeting, along with details of each item discussed, can be found at hornsby.nsw.gov.au. The video recording of the meeting will be available from tomorrow afternoon.
Image: The refurbished Brooklyn Boardwalk after a $280K refurbishment was undertaken.
