Agenda of Sport and Recreation Policy Committee

Sport and Recreation Policy Committee 5 July 2016

1.1 Declaration of pecuniary interests, significant non-pecuniary interests and less than significant non-pecuniary interests

The provisions of Chapter 14 of the Local Government Act, 1993 (the Act) regulate the way in which Councillors and designated staff of Council conduct themselves to ensure that there is no conflict between their private interests and their public role.

The Act prescribes that where a member of Council (or a Committee of Council) has a direct or indirect financial (pecuniary) interest in a matter to be considered at a meeting of the Council (or Committee), that interest must be disclosed as soon as practicable after the start of the meeting and the reasons given for declaring such interest.

As members are aware, the provisions of the Local Government Act restrict any member who has declared a pecuniary interest in any matter from participating in the discussion or voting on that matter, and requires that member to vacate the Chamber.

Council’s Code of Conduct provides that if members have a non-pecuniary conflict of interest, the nature of the conflict must be disclosed. The Code of Conduct also provides for a number of ways in which a member may manage non pecuniary conflicts of interest.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Committee Members now disclose any conflicts of interest in matters under consideration by the Sport and Recreation Policy Committee at this meeting.

Sport and Recreation Policy Committee 5 July 2016

2 General Reports

2.1 Removal of No Bike Riding Markings on Footpaths

TRIM REFERENCE: 2016/920

AUTHOR: Scott Maunder, Director Community, Recreation and Cultural Services

EXECUTIVE Summary

This report seeks Council’s approval for the removal of the “no bike riding” signs on footpaths in Orange.

Link To Delivery/OPerational Plan

The recommendation in this report relates to the Delivery/Operational Plan strategy “6.1 Our Community – Identify changing community aspirations and undertake community engagement and planning for the development and support of sporting and recreational services”.

Financial Implications

Council has been advised that as a council included in the NSW Government’s merger proposals under consideration by the Office of Local Government since referral on 6 January 2016, Council must comply with the merger proposal period guidelines issued under S23A of the Local Government Act 1993.

The guidelines instruct Council it should expend money in accordance with the detailed budget adopted for the purposes of implementing the Delivery/Operational Plan for the 2015/16 year.

Any expenditure outside the adopted budget requires the identification of clear and compelling grounds and must be approved by Council at a meeting that is open to the public. The guidelines indicate the resolution of Council for increased expenditure must specify the reasons why the expenditure is required and warranted.

If increased expenditure is greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Council’s revenue from rates in the preceding year, whichever is the greater, Council is required to exhibit the increase to the budget and consider comments received.

Council must also avoid entering into contracts or undertakings where expenditure or revenue is greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Council’s revenue from rates in the preceding year, whichever is the greater, unless the contract or undertaking is as a result of a decision or procurement process commenced prior to the merger proposal period or where entering into a contract or undertaking is reasonably necessary for the purposes of meeting the ongoing service delivery commitments of the Council or was previously approved in the Council’s Delivery/Operational Plan.

Policy and Governance Implications

Nil

Recommendation

That Council remove the “no bike riding” symbols painted on footpaths on Summer Street, Byng Street, Prince Street and March Street and replace them with active travel directional signage where appropriate.

further considerations

Consideration has been given to the recommendation’s impact on Council’s service delivery; image and reputation; political; environmental; health and safety; employees; stakeholders and project management; and no further implications or risks have been identified.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

At its meeting of 7 June 2016, Council resolved that:

3.1 Active Travel Plan - Part A

TRIM Reference: 2016/1202

MOTION Cr R Turner/Cr S Munro

1 That the Part A: Framework - Active Travel Plan be adopted by Council with the exception of 40kph in the Central Business District.

2 That Council request the implementation of 40kph zones for the area bounded by Peisley Street to Hill Street and Moulder Street to March Street.

AMENDMENT Cr N Jones/Cr R Turner

1 That the Part A: Framework - Active Travel Plan be adopted by Council with the exception of 40kph in the Central Business District.

2 That Council request the implementation of 40kph zones for the area bounded by Peisley Street to Hill Street and Kite Street to Byng Street.

NOTICE WAS GIVEN OF A FORESHADOWED AMENDMENT

THE AMENDMENT ON BEING PUT TO THE MEETING WAS LOST

AMENDMENT Cr G Taylor/Cr J Whitton

That the Part A: Framework - Active Travel Plan be adopted by Council with the exception of 40kph in the Central Business District.

THE AMENDMENT ON BEING PUT TO THE MEETING WAS CARRIED AND BECAME THE MOTION

THE MOTION ON BEING PUT TO THE MEETING WAS CARRIED

RESOLVED - 16/001 Cr G Taylor/Cr J Whitton

That the Part A: Framework - Active Travel Plan be adopted by Council with the exception of 40kph in the Central Business District.

** Cr Duffy requested that his name be recorded as having voted against this decision of Council. **

The framework identifies a number of barriers to walking and riding including signage indicating that bicycles are illegal on footpaths. Whilst this is legally correct (for anyone over 12 years) it sends a negative message to the community.

Recommendation 7 is that Council provide positive messaging to encourage the general community to walk and cycle instead of driving; and remove negative messaging that could discourage people.

Signage as illustrated below was installed following the adoption of the City of Orange Traffic Committee resolutions by Council at its meeting of 14 March 2000.

This signage is present on Summer Street, Byng Street, Prince Street and March Street and extends beyond those areas resolved by Council.

Whilst it is not suggested that cycling be promoted on footpaths, the removal of the negative signage and replacing with active travel signage such as signage indicating distances to key City features, would encourage rather than discourage active travel.