I'm not really surprised that the Yass Valley Council was deemed as 'Not Fit' For The Future (FFTF) by IPART (Yass Tribune - October 23) and I note that Yass was in the company of 87 other councils which were also considered Not Fit out of the total of 139 NSW councils.
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There are suggestions, in Yass's case, that it was penalised for its decision not to impose a Special Rate Variation (SRV) earlier in the year stemming from the strong feeling to defer the SRV until there was a better understanding of how much could be saved in other ways such as with improved management, better targeting of goals and investments, employment rationalisation and assessment of financial policies and to then work out how much the ratepayers would have to pay to be fit.
The decision means that Yass may be forced to merge with nearby councils, including Goulburn Mulwaree, Palerang, Queanbeyan and Upper Lachlan, which had also failed in their bids to be Fit For The Future and the General Manager has commented briefly that the Council has until November 18 to respond to IPART and he indicated that YVC will be holding discussions with councillors and staff, as well as meeting with neighbouring councils, to discuss options and a report will be prepared for tonight's meeting.
The decision is a difficult one for the Yass Valley Council, following months of hard work leading up to the Fit for the Future submission in June and I have made frequent references to the quality of input from the 40 or so ratepayers who were randomly selected for discussions with councillors and council staff. My feeling was that there was more good sense and practicality among them than with the council, itself.
It seems that the submission failed in only one of the four categories required and that was sustainability. That means financial management and there are no surprises here as this has continued to be a serious weakness that was recognised in the broad discussions which took place.
It is quite clear, however, that the State Government is pushing for many councils across the state to amalgamate in a realistic attempt to see that money does not continue to be wasted and Premier Mike Baird has had some heavy flak for what seems to be a pre-determined agenda for him.
Again, and personally, I find that there have been many failings with this council over the years and lost opportunities like the development of the Liberty Theatre.
