Latest news with #JoArmstrong
ABC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Victorian councils 'deeply reluctant' to enforce emergency services levy
Victorian councils are "deeply reluctant" to enforce the state government's increased emergency services levy as backlash from the agriculture sector intensifies. The Victorian government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund legislation passed through the Upper House on Thursday night and was met with outrage from some volunteer fire fighters. The fund, which replaces the cheaper fire services levy, is designed to raise revenue for fire services, the State Emergency Service, triple-0 and the state control centre. Councils across the state are now tasked with collecting the new tax from ratepayers from July 1, despite many local government bodies vehemently opposing the tax. Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) chair Shane Sali said he was worried some residents would simply refuse to pay the new line item. "That's a shortfall on their rates notice which means we have to go through a collection process of trying to get that outstanding money from ratepayers," he said. Mr Sali said councils were in the dark around how they were expected to collect and handle any issues with levy payment. Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said his council was "deeply reluctant" to fulfil its legal obligation in collecting the tax. Mayor Jo Armstong said the levy was "a complete travesty". "It will impact every single resident, from our farmers and those on fixed incomes to local businesses, inevitably causing significant mental and financial hardship and further straining our local economy," she said. Moorabool Shire Council Mayor Paul Tatchell said the change disproportionately impacted rural communities. "There are fairer ways to do this and it's a shame the Victorian government is using our rural property owners to claw back some of their huge debt," he said. Farmers in regional Victoria who already pay substantial rates in addition to volunteering say the new levy will add to their financial pressures. Central Victorian farmer and CFA volunteer Prue Milgate said drought-affected farmers were heartbroken about the ripple effect her community would face. "That money is what pays my sporting club, it's what pays my children's memberships to our excursions at the school," she said. "Most farming families … are already struggling because we've had very little rainfall Peter Shields, who has volunteered for 30 years as a CFA volunteer in Dookie, near Shepparton, says his fellow brigade members are throwing in the towel. "I was the only one at the pub last night that wasn't pulling out of the CFA," the former Nationals candidate said. "But I will not be turning up to any fire on government land." On Friday Premier Jacinta Allan said CFA volunteers and farmers in 24 shires eligible for state drought support would be "exempt" from having to pay the levy. But it was later revealed that CFA volunteer firefighters and farmers struggling through drought could apply for a rebate after paying the levy in full. That rebate would only apply to a single property. Ms Allan said every dollar raised would go back to emergency services and be reported on annually. Acting CFA chief officer Gary Cooks said firefighters were pleased the government added some exemptions for volunteers and drought-affected farmers. But Victorian Farmers Federal president Brett Hosking said it would be an arduous process for farmers and the CFA. "It's an incredibly large burden to place on the CFA, who have enough to worry about already," he said. Mr Hosking said the levy would prompt farmers to leave the industry and rural communities. "That's one less family employed in the community, less kids in the school, less people at the local shop and less people on the back of firefighting appliances," he said. Deakin University politics lecturer Geoff Robinson said the levy could have political ramifications for the state government. He said few farmers voted for Labor but some provincial seats held by the government could be impacted. "The government does face the potential perception that it is being seen as being very Melbourne-focused," he said. The government said the new tax was needed to fund emergency services to respond to an increasing number of calls for assistance for fires, floods and extreme weather events. Dr Robinson said the tax could be an example of the cost of dealing with climate change. "That puts pressure on all levels of government, particularly on state governments, because they have a limited taxation base as well and often struggle to finance important services," he said. Opposition agriculture spokeswoman Emma Kearley told ABC Radio Melbourne there needed to be more detail about the levy exemptions. "It's being oversold," she said.
Scoop
25-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
TTPP Costs Climb Again – But Commissioners' Fees Forecast To Drop
24 April Hearing Commissioner costs for the West Coast's new District Plan are still running ahead of budget - but their bill for the year now looks set to be less hefty than predicted. A meeting yesterday of the Tai o Poutini Plan committee yesterday heard that Commissioner costs were running more than half a million dollars over the year-to-date budget of $142,667. Consultant planners and contractors' fees were also over budget by $241,000. But project manager Jo Armstrong said she now expected the Commissioner-related costs to be nearly $450,000 less than forecast by next June. 'I have highlighted for most of the year that there would be insufficient budget for that Hearing Commissioner fee item…but I do think the full year forecast that I put forward earlier may have been overstated…so that's good news.' And [council] employee costs for the period were down by $92,000 - less than half the budget forecast. There has never been a fixed budget for the Plan. The West Coast Regional Council was ordered by the Local Government Commission to administer the lengthy process and has had to forecast costs as best it can, rating and borrowing to cover them as they arise. The TTPP committee's response to the 'good news' this week was muted. Its members - council leaders and iwi - were rocked last month by estimates that the 'one plan to rule them all' will have cost West Coasters more than $8 million by the time it's released in September. The independent commissioners who heard all the TTPP submissions and drove the length and breadth of the Coast to do it, are now working their way through its chapters, finalising the rules and writing their reports. The added expenses for the period had come about because of extra work and services that were unforeseen, Ms Armstrong explained. Media costs for advertising, expected to cost about $8000, had climbed to nearly $20,000. That was down to the need to notify a variation to the Natural Hazards chapter and call for further submissions after changes to the maps following a Lidar survey. And legal expenses, although less than predicted, came to $62,000 . 'We've been taking a lot of legal advice on different topics that the Hearings Commissioners requested …to make sure their recommendations are well-grounded,' Ms Armstrong said. A number of builders and developers around the West Coast are awaiting the release of the 'Decisions' version of the Plan in spring, with zoning changes expected to open up new areas of land for housing. One of the larger projects waiting for the green light is a 200-lot subdivision at Moana, that was submitted to the Grey District Council several years ago as a private plan change, but withdrawn in anticipation of the new Plan.
The National
24-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Highland Council praised for savings but warned of future issues
A report from the Accounts Commission, released on Thursday, showed the authority had closed a £54.7 million black hole, with nearly £38 million of savings and almost £10 million of its reserves paired with cash for the council tax freeze. When the council's budget was set for the coming year in March, the gap was just £13 million between now and the end of 2027-28, with £12.9 million in savings proposed to counter it. But the agency warned of the authority's use of its reserves to counter the issue. READ MORE: Scottish castle on sale again amid 'transphobia' row with community group The 17-page report said: 'The council has worked hard to close significant budget gaps in recent years, but we note this has relied heavily on the use of reserves, financial flexibilities and achieving savings targets. 'Savings challenges and financial risks still lie ahead, including in relation to adult social care, where transformation is needed to meet demand pressures.' The council has also announced a 10-year, £1 billion capital plan to improve local services, roads and schools in what is the largest single local authority area in the country, covering more than 9,600 square miles. The agency noted its 'concern' that projected borrowing costs were 11.6% of overall revenue, but noted the plan was subject to review of 'affordability and prudence', including 'understanding the full impact of these plans given ongoing revenue budget challenges'. READ MORE: What did we learn from John Swinney's anti-far-right summit? Jo Armstrong, the chair of the Accounts Commission, said: 'The Highland Council is benefiting from a culture of transformation, and we're pleased to see progress since we last reported in 2020. 'Now challenges to making savings lie ahead – it's vital that the council's workforce, digital and IT strategies are developed, embedded and monitored. 'The pace at which some services are improving is now slower compared to other councils. Using robust data, the council needs to keep things moving forward and look for new ways to improve. 'Communities and staff must continue to be an integral part of the conversation to determine the future of council priorities and services.' Highland Council convener Bill Lobban said: 'The council notes the recent report by the Accounts Commission which we consider broadly positive. In particular, we note the comments that the council has significantly improved since 2020. 'We also note the positive comments in the report about the ways in which Highland Council is taking steps to transform its delivery of services.'
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Councils warned over scale of financial challenges
Councils must reform "at a pace and depth we've not yet seen" to avoid facing unsustainable losses, Scotland's public finance watchdog has warned. The Accounts Commission urged local authorities to be upfront about the "scale of financial challenge being faced". Its latest report, on the 2023-24 financial year, found councils had to plug a budget gap of £759m due to a real-terms decrease in revenue funding from the Scottish government. It said councils are increasingly reliant on cuts which becomes progressively more difficult year-on-year, and again had to use reserves to remain within their agreed budgets. Jo Armstrong, who chairs the Accounts Commission, said: "Scotland's councils face a challenging future, with significant financial risks and uncertainties. "This has been compounded by pressures outwith their control, including ever-increasing demand on services and inflation. "An expected increase in funding for the year ahead doesn't cancel out the urgent need for transformation, at a pace and depth we've not yet seen. "With services already being impacted, councils must be clear with communities the scale of financial challenge being faced. Working with communities to deliver differently is vital." In its Local Government in Scotland Financial Bulletin for 2023-24, the Accounts Commission found there was a 3.3% reduction in councils' total revenue funding and income in 2023-24, compared with 2022-23. It also found that 12 out of 29 councils that provided data made unplanned use of their reserves in 2023-24 to manage budget pressures. The watchdog said councils needed to "intensify transformation activity, progressing at scale and pace to ensure their financial sustainability". It also said that how councils plan to use their reserves, make savings and transform their services needed to become more transparent. The need to consult local communities and clearly communicate the implications for local services of the budget decisions taken has "never been more important", according to the watchdog. Since 2007, council tax has generally either been frozen or increases have been capped by Holyrood. However, a current freeze on rates is due to end in April. The Scottish government says it is offering local authorities an extra £1bn in 2025-26 and hopes large council tax rises will not be needed. Individual authorities are expected to decide on any increases next month. Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: "The SNP has been starving councils of resources for years and Scots have seen public services crumble as a result." Scottish Labour local government spokesman Mark Griffin urged the government not to "bury its head in the sand about the timebomb in local government finances". He said: "Years of brutal budget cuts by the SNP and growing demands have left councils across Scotland at breaking point." A Scottish government spokesperson said the 2025-26 Budget would give councils a £1bn funding hike on the previous year. They added: "Alongside additional funding for local authorities to spend as they require for their communities, there is targeted investment in teacher numbers, additional support for learning and councils' work to tackle the climate emergency." Cosla has been asked for comment. Councils must speed up reform to save services - watchdog Restoring council budgets will take time - Cosla
BBC News
28-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Scotland's councils warned over scale of financial challenges
Councils must reform "at a pace and depth we've not yet seen" to avoid facing unsustainable losses, Scotland's public finance watchdog has Accounts Commission urged local authorities to be upfront about the "scale of financial challenge being faced". Its latest report, on the 2023-24 financial year, found councils had to plug a budget gap of £759m due to a real-terms decrease in revenue funding from the Scottish said councils are increasingly reliant on cuts which becomes progressively more difficult year-on-year, and again had to use reserves to remain within their agreed budgets. 'Challenging future' Jo Armstrong, who chairs the Accounts Commission, said: "Scotland's councils face a challenging future, with significant financial risks and uncertainties."This has been compounded by pressures outwith their control, including ever-increasing demand on services and inflation."An expected increase in funding for the year ahead doesn't cancel out the urgent need for transformation, at a pace and depth we've not yet seen."With services already being impacted, councils must be clear with communities the scale of financial challenge being faced. Working with communities to deliver differently is vital." In its Local Government in Scotland Financial Bulletin for 2023-24, the Accounts Commission found there was a 3.3% reduction in councils' total revenue funding and income in 2023-24, compared with also found that 12 out of 29 councils that provided data made unplanned use of their reserves in 2023-24 to manage budget watchdog said councils needed to "intensify transformation activity, progressing at scale and pace to ensure their financial sustainability".It also said that how councils plan to use their reserves, make savings and transform their services needed to become more need to consult local communities and clearly communicate the implications for local services of the budget decisions taken has "never been more important", according to the watchdog. Council tax Since 2007, council tax has generally either been frozen or increases have been capped by a current freeze on rates is due to end in Scottish government says it is offering local authorities an extra £1bn in 2025-26 and hopes large council tax rises will not be authorities are expected to decide on any increases next month. Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: "The SNP has been starving councils of resources for years and Scots have seen public services crumble as a result."Scottish Labour local government spokesman Mark Griffin urged the government not to "bury its head in the sand about the timebomb in local government finances". He said: "Years of brutal budget cuts by the SNP and growing demands have left councils across Scotland at breaking point."A Scottish government spokesperson said the 2025-26 Budget would give councils a £1bn funding hike on the previous added: "Alongside additional funding for local authorities to spend as they require for their communities, there is targeted investment in teacher numbers, additional support for learning and councils' work to tackle the climate emergency."Cosla has been asked for comment.
