ARARAT Rural City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday night to respond the recommendations from Victoria’s Local Government Minister.
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The recommendations were based on the findings of a Commission of Inquiry report into Ararat Rural City Council’s proposal to abolish differential rates.
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Councillors have already acted on one of the recommendations, which was to revert to the rating strategy for 2016-17.
Th motion, carried at least week’s ordinary council meeting, preserved differential rates discounts for farmers and extra rates for commercial and industrial properties.
Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins has recommended that Ararat Rural City:
- Establish a rating strategy advisory group
- Appoint an external interim chief executive
- Review its community engagement policy
- Adopt best practice for its Audit Committee
- Take steps under its Councillor Code of Conduct to address the Commission’s findings in relation to potential breaches of the Code of Conduct
Ms Hutchins will also appoint an external monitor to Ararat Rural City for two years.
The Special Council Meeting will be held at 6.00pm, August 22 in the Council Chamber, Shire Hall, Barkly Street, Ararat.