Outcome of Forensic AuditCouncil will continue to focus on implementing improvements in financial management and reporting following the conclusion of the legal and financial forensic analysis conducted by Clayton Utz.The legal and financial analysis review has not identified any evidence that the Council’s current liquidity issues or use of restricted funds in breach of the Local Government Act was the result of corrupt conduct. Council engaged Clayton Utz on 26 October 2020, and Clayton Utz engaged KPMG to undertake a targeted forensic review of a sample fund to gain understanding of Council’s financial accounting practices and adherence to the Office of Local Government Guidelines.   Council’s Domestic Waste Fund was selected as a sample fund.Director Corporate Affairs Natalia Cowley said that the scope of this forensic review was on reviewing a sample of actual financial transactions.“Clayton Utz’s findings from the sampling of waste transactions reviewed did not identify any transactions allocated to the Domestic Waste Fund that were not consistent with guidance provided by the Office of Local Government,” said Ms Cowley.Clayton Utz further stated that having regard to the reviews completed to date it would be reasonable for Council to conclude that further investigation would be unlikely to disclose any new or additional reasons for its current financial circumstances.   For this reason, no further forensic audit reports are recommended at this time.Administrator Dick Persson AM said he believed this review drew a line under further investigation by Council.“During the development of my 30-day Interim Report, the causes of the financial crisis became known, and the findings by Clayton Utz are generally consistent with my observations,” said Mr Persson.“Their analysis agrees that the current financial circumstances appear to have arisen from legacy issues associated with financial systems, transparency from the time of Council amalgamation and poor financial management practices.”“I see no value for the community in pursuing investigation after investigation, at the expense of Council resources actually getting on with implementing improvements in Council financial management.”Council Code of Meeting Practice to improve decision makingCouncil has adopted a draft Code of Meeting Practice, which will go on public exhibition on 10 March 2021 for 42 days.The draft Code proposes changes including:the publication day of agenda papers to be changedprovide for the conduct of all Council Meetings at Wyong Administration Buildinga requirement that Mayoral Minutes and Notices of Motion identify the source of funds where there is a financial impacta requirement to consult with the CEO (or appropriate delegate) in preparing Mayoral Minutes or Notices of Motion to identify source of fundsa limit on the number of Notices of Motion to one per Councillor per meetinga limit on the complexity and number of Questions with Notice to one per Councillor per meetinga requirement that Councillors make reasonable efforts to attend pre-Meeting briefings.The Code of Meeting Practice applies to all meetings of Council and Committees of Council of which the members are Councillors.

In looking into what has gone wrong with the Council, I formed a strong view that a major contributor was the 15-member council.Fifteen councillors are too large a number if you want them to act collaboratively.

Central Coast Council Administrator, Mr Dick Persson AM has today announced Mr David Farmer as the new Chief Executive Officer of Central Coast Council.Mr Persson said the appointment of Mr Farmer and his experience is crucial in leading Council toward recovery and will provide strong reassurance to the community that the tough decisions taken now will not be wasted. “David has had up to 40 years’ experience in Local Government in New South Wales and Queensland, each of his last three roles have involved major challenges in governance and finance, the same challenges that face this Council, and I’m encouraged knowing that David is well equipped in leading the Council through these issues,” said Mr Persson.Mr Farmer has been Chief Executive of four Councils over the past 23 years, 10 years at both Cairns and Wollongong City Councils and more recently at Ipswich, the fastest growing Council in Queensland.“David has a proven track record of success in operating large councils and has been selected based on this solid experience.” said Mr Persson.“The Central Coast community should feel very reassured that a new and strong CEO will deliver the positive outcome everyone wants to see.“I look forward to welcoming David to the position on 12 April 2021.”    EDITORS NOTESBio Attached - Mr David Farmer 

Central Coast Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM will announce the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer for the Council.Members of the media are invited to attend.Date:

Live theatre is returning to the Coast in spectacular form with Laycock Street Community Theatre announcing an exceptional line-up of performers for its 2021 season. Coasties and visitors can rediscover the joy of live performance with an incredible array of shows – from Hot Autumn Nights (Tim Freedman of The Whitlams) and James Morrison Quintet to the Victorian State Ballet’s Little Mermaid and Newk (The John Newcombe Story).Central Coast Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Julie Vaughan said Laycock Street is ready to accommodate the strong appetite for quality shows on the Coast.“We’ve been starved of live theatre for nearly 12 months and it’s so exciting to once again welcome incredible artists to perform on the Coast,” Ms Vaughan said.“Laycock is an incredible live theatre venue – it combines quality with an undeniable energy and there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.”Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said Laycock Street is a vital component of the Coast’s thriving arts scene.“It is impressive to see a community theatre attract such a strong line-up of performers and I encourage locals and visitors to take advantage.”Laycock Street Community Theatre’s 2021 line-up includes:Hot Autumn Nights – Tim FreedmanSnapshot:

Central Coast Council is calling on the community to have their say on water, sewer and stormwater pricing.Water, sewer and stormwater prices are set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), who undertake a review of pricing every three to four years (the period is determined by IPART).This latest review by IPART requires Council to propose pricing for these services by September 2021 that will take effect from 1 July 2022 until 30 June 2026.Council Director Water and Sewer, Jamie Loader said community feedback is a crucial part of putting together Council’s submission.“We want to find out what’s important to you about how we provide water, sewer and stormwater services to the Central Coast,” said Mr Loader.“We will then balance this information with our assessment of how much it costs to produce water, treat sewage and ensure that stormwater is managed.“We want to assure the community this does not mean prices go up automatically, they could in fact go down or remain the same.“IPART will independently consider Council’s submission, which will include community feedback, and will set a fair price for customers.”Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said that he wanted the community to understand that this submission to IPART for water, sewer and stormwater prices is completely separate to the application for a rate rise that Council recently lodged.“Council applied to IPART for a 15% rate rise to help with Council’s financial recovery.

With a new harmonised rating structure to be introduced on 1 July 2021, Central Coast ratepayers will see an increase or a decrease in their rates depending on property values and location.The NSW Government has mandated that merged Councils’ rates be harmonised by 1 July 2021.

Central Coast Council is encouraging the community to contribute to discussions on mountain biking across the Central Coast.Community consultation on the Mountain Bike Feasibility Study discussion paper is open until 22 March 2021.Council Unit Manager Environmental Management, Luke Sulkowski said with participation in mountain bike riding as both a sport and a recreational activity increasing, it was important to plan ahead in a sustainable way.“There is currently no strategic framework for managing the rapidly increasing demand for mountain biking across the Central Coast,” Mr Sulkowski said.“As the demand for the sport increases, Council needs to have a way to balance the requirement of the sport with environmental and heritage protections for our natural areas.“By identifying the role that Council’s natural reserves may play in the provision of mountain biking experiences across the Central Coast, we will be better able to protect areas of high conservation and heritage value, minimise the building of unauthorised trail construction and maximise the safe use of Council reserves by all visitors.”Council Administrator, Dick Persson AM said it was important for the community to engage in the discussion with respect.“We recognise there are different views within the community on how to respond to the demand for mountain biking on the Central Coast,” Mr Persson said.“However, our research shows there are also some areas of agreement – for example 95% of survey respondents supported mountain biking continuing in areas where it is currently allowed.“Our survey also showed that 87% were concerned about the lack of authorised trails for mountain biking and 75% about the lack of clarity regarding which trails are authorised.“I strongly encourage all members of our community interested in this topic to review the discussion paper and watch the information video before completing our survey.”In addition to the discussion paper and information video – community members are invited to submit a question regarding the discussion paper online though Council’s Your Voice Our Coast platform, or register to talk to our staff at a virtual drop in session.