Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee - 26/03/2026

Topics

• Council pushes more service reviews and cost recovery changes
  Committee backs a stronger cost recovery model and ongoing service reviews across Council operations.
  This can lead to fee changes, service redesign and budget impacts for residents and business users.
• Family day care exit moves ahead pending consultation
  Council has approved a cost recovery plan and resolved to transition out of the family day care business, subject to consultation.
  Families using or seeking family day care could see a change in service availability or provider arrangements.
• Commercial waste review now in force
  Council’s commercial waste review recommendations have been adopted and took effect from 1 January 2026.
  Commercial customers may already be facing new waste arrangements and costs.

Decisions

• Full cost recovery for full-fee services
  Council’s pricing approach was set to achieve full cost recovery for full-fee services.
  May affect fees for council-run services where users are expected to pay the full cost.
• Commercial services to return dividends to revenue
  Council will ensure commercial services provide an appropriate dividend to consolidated revenue.
  Supports Council’s budget position and may influence how commercial services are priced and operated.
• Two comprehensive service reviews each year
  Council committed to undertaking two comprehensive service reviews annually, alongside technical reviews by management.
  Signals ongoing changes to how services are assessed, which can lead to altered service models or costs.
• Family day care transition underway
  The cost recovery plan for early education centres and family day care was approved, and Council resolved to transition out of the family day care business pending consultation.
  Could change the availability or delivery of family day care services for local families.
• Commercial Waste Review implemented
  Council adopted the Commercial Waste Review recommendations, with implementation effective from 1 January 2026.
  Affects commercial waste customers through new arrangements already in force.

Discussion

• Domestic waste and parking reviews being scoped
  Council is scoping two further reviews for this year: domestic waste and the parking operational model.
  Residents and businesses may see future changes to waste services or parking operations.
• Off-street car parks review still under consideration
  Recommendations from the off-street car parks review are being assessed by the Director, Assets and Operations before going to Council.
  Any changes could affect parking supply, pricing or management in local car parks.
• Request for stronger staff input into service reviews
  The committee noted that staff should be involved when reviewing services so operational insights are captured.
  May improve practicality of future service changes and implementation.
• Committee asked for clearer summary of completed reviews
  The committee requested a summary of service reviews already completed by Council, including financial impacts.
  Improves transparency about what has changed and what savings or impacts have resulted.

Impacts

• Possible changes to fees for council services through full cost recovery pricing.
• Potential changes to family day care service delivery following consultation.
• Commercial waste customers are already operating under adopted review recommendations.
• Future changes may affect domestic waste services and parking arrangements.
• Council’s service review program may lead to service model changes, savings or reduced discretionary services.

Places

• Bondi Junction (locality)
  Meeting held at The Boot Factory, Spring Street, Bondi Junction.
• The Boot Factory (facility)
  Venue for the committee meeting.
• Council car parks (service area)
  Off-street car parks review was discussed.
• Commercial waste service area (service area)
  Review recommendations adopted and being implemented.
• Early education centres (service area)
  Included in the cost recovery plan review.
• Family day care (service area)
  Council resolved to transition out of the business pending consultation.

Next

• Complete consultation on the proposed exit from family day care business
  Pending consultation
• Present off-street car parks review recommendations to Council
  After director review
• Scope and conduct domestic waste and parking operational model reviews
  During 2026
• Continue technical service reviews across Council services
  Ongoing
• Provide committee with a summary of completed service reviews and financial impacts
  Requested for a future meeting

Extract

Minutes of Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee Meeting 26 March 2026 This is of the minutes of the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee held on 26 March 2026 MINUTES OF THE AUDIT, RISK AND IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE BOOT FACTORY, SPRING STREET, BONDI JUNCTION ON THURSDAY, 26 MARCH 2026 Members Present: John Gordon (Chair) Independent Member Lisa Berwick Independent Member Sheridan Dudley Independent Member Cr Joshua Spicer Councillor Member (non-voting) In Attendance: Emily Scott General Manager Sharon Cassidy Director, Assets and Operations Tara Czinner Director, Corporate Services Ben Thompson Director, Community, Culture and Customer Experience Manuel Moncada Director,...