Central Coast Council is seeking expressions of interest from community members to join the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) Community Reference Group.
Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said the CSP represented the highest level of strategic planning undertaken by a local council.
“The CSP identifies the main priorities and aspirations of the community, with Council having a custodial role in its development or refinement on behalf of the community,” Hart said.
The inaugural CSP, One – Central Coast, was endorsed by Council on June 25, 2018.
Hart said that since its adoption, Council’s financial situation had significantly changed.
The CSP needs to reflect the community’s sentiment and include acknowledgement of Council’s financial responsibility on behalf of the community, he said.
The CSP is part of the Integrated Planning and Reporting suite of documents that councils use to guide their strategic and operational planning.
The suite also includes a three to four-year Delivery Program and an annual Operational Plan.
“A revised CSP has been developed, but we need to hear from the community to tell us if this captures the community’s thoughts on the financial situation accurately,” Hart said.
“A new Delivery Program 2022-2025 outlining the projects, programs and activities that Council will deliver over the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years has also been prepared and needs community input.”
Council is seeking expressions of interest (EOIs) from people who live or work on the Central Coast to join the Community Reference Group (CRG) to give advice and guidance on the Revised CSP, Delivery Program 2022-23 to 2024-25 and Operational Plan 22-23.
“The input received from the CRG will influence further changes to these plans, helping to ensure that the community’s voice is heard and considered,” Hart said.
Following the CRG input into the Revised CSP and Delivery Program, the documents will be on public exhibition for further public comment in April 2022.
The Draft Revised CSP includes words that say Council will be financially responsible but other changes mean Council and community “meaningful dialogue” has disappeared.
Where once it said Council will: “Engage with the community in meaningful dialogue and demonstrate how community participation is being used to inform decisions” it is proposed to say: “Council will: provide strong leadership that is accountable, makes decisions in the best interest of the community and ensures Council is financially sustainable”.
Under the Local Government Act the next elected Council will be required to review the CSP.
Meanwhile, Council would like to hear from individuals who live or work on the Central Coast, have a good understanding of the region and have an interest in the progression and improvement of social, economic and/or environmental issues.
If you are interested, the next steps are to view the Terms of Reference available in the document library and to complete the expression of interest (EOI) form online.
EOI applications via the online form will be accepted until 5pm on Friday, February 18.
Primary source: Media release, Feb 4, 2022 Central Coast Council