Finance and Governance Committee - 15 Oct 2026 10 minutes after the conclusion of the Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee or such later time as determined by the preceding committee

Topics

• Council backs four-year extensions for three Urban Utilities board members
  Council has endorsed the reappointment of Andrea Kenafake, Peter Hyland and Paul Vincent to Urban Utilities through June 2031.
  The appointments concern governance of a major water and wastewater utility serving residents.
• Domestic Violence Action Centre property granted full council-rates concession
  Council approved a 100% concession on the differential general rate and backdated it to the relevant application date.
  The decision reduces the rates burden on a community organisation supporting people affected by domestic violence.
• Revised graffiti removal policy adopted by council committee
  The committee adopted a revised policy governing council’s response to graffiti.
  Graffiti removal affects public amenity and the appearance of local facilities and streets, although the extract does not specify operational changes.

Decisions

• Urban Utilities board reappointments
  Council endorsed the reappointment of Andrea Kenafake, Peter Hyland and Paul Vincent as Urban Utilities board members for four years from 30 June 2027 to 30 June 2031. The Chief Executive Officer was authorised to complete the appointments.
  Urban Utilities governance affects the oversight of major water and wastewater services used by residents.
• General-rates concession
  A 100% concession on the differential general rate was approved and backdated to the relevant application date for a property owned by Domestic Violence Action Centre Inc. The property address was withheld in the public material.
  The decision supports a community organisation by reducing its local-government rates liability, although the property and financial value were not publicly identified.
• Councillor Briefings and Workshops Policy
  The revised Councillor Briefings and Workshops Policy was adopted, subject to retaining clause 15 concerning confidentiality.
  The policy sets rules for how councillors receive information and participate in briefings, including the handling of confidential material.
• Graffiti Removal Policy
  The revised Graffiti Removal Policy, as detailed in the meeting attachment, was adopted.
  The policy provides the framework for responding to graffiti, which can affect the appearance, amenity and perceived safety of public places and facilities.

Discussion

• September 2026 financial performance
  A September 2026 Financial Performance Report was listed, but the extracted material does not include its findings or any specific financial decision.
  The report may provide information about council’s financial position, but no substantive resident impact can be confirmed from the available text.
• Confidential decision-making
  Attachments relating to the rates concession and Urban Utilities appointments were classified as confidential under the Local Government Regulation 2012.
  Key supporting details, including the concession property address and some appointment information, were not included in the public extract.

Impacts

• Urban Utilities board oversight will continue with the reappointment of three board members through 30 June 2031.
• A Domestic Violence Action Centre property received a full, backdated concession on the differential general rate.
• Councillor briefing and workshop arrangements will continue under a revised policy that retains confidentiality requirements.
• Council’s approach to graffiti removal will operate under a revised adopted policy.

Next

• The Chief Executive Officer is to sign the instruments of appointment and take other necessary steps for the Urban Utilities board reappointments.
  Appointments commence on 30 June 2027.
• The adopted Councillor Briefings and Workshops Policy and Graffiti Removal Policy are to be implemented under their revised terms.
  Following adoption; no specific implementation date was stated.
• The general-rates concession is to be applied and backdated to the relevant application date.
  Date not specified in the public extract.

Extract

15 OCTOBER 2026 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE NO. 2026(08)] of 9 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE NO. 2026(08) 15 OCTOBER 2026 REPORT COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE: Councillor Paul Tully (Chairperson); Mayor Teresa Harding, Councillors Pye Augustine, Marnie Doyle, Andrew Antoniolli, Jim Madden and David Martin COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES: Councillor Jacob Madsen (Deputy Chairperson) and Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Corporate Services (Matt Smith), General Manager Community, Cultural and Economic Development (Ben Pole), General Manager Asset and Infrastructure Services (Seren McKenzie), General Manager Planning and Regulatory...