The decisions of the Beresfield Golf Course were not public as described by the Newcastle City Council below. Councillor Jason Dunn argued for the Pool to be separated from the Golf Course. Be careful who you vote in as Lord Mayor as NO Councillor publicly protested for the Beresfield Golf Course as a service to Beresfield. Beresfield rate payers were in attendance at the Meeting 26 August 2014. Public exhibition of the amendment to the 2014/15 ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING 26 AUGUST 2014 CONTENTS Item Business REPORT DISTRIBUTED UNDER SEPARATE COVER ITEM-67 CCL 26/08/14 - PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2014/15 FEES AND CHARGES FOR COUNCIL SWIMMING CENTRES THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE Report to Council Meeting on 26/08/2014 Page 1 SUBJECT: CCL 26/08/14 - PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE 2014/15 FEES AND CHARGES FOR COUNCIL SWIMMING CENTRES REPORT BY: INFRASTRUCTURE CONTACT: DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE/MANAGER FACILITIES & RECREATION/MANAGER COMMERCIAL PROPERTY PURPOSE To readvertise the 2014/15 Fees and Charges for Beresfield Swimming Centre to align with the newly appointed contractor’s proposed fees and charges for the operation of Mayfield, Wallsend and Stockton Swimming Centres. In addition it is proposed to remove Lambton, Mayfield, Wallsend and Stockton Swimming Centres, and Beresfield Golf Course, from the fees and charges schedule for Council for the 2014/15 financial year after Lessee Management commences. RECOMMENDATION 1 The draft amended 2014/15 Fees and Charges Schedule for Beresfield, Lambton, Mayfield, Wallsend and Stockton Swimming Centres, and Beresfield Golf Course, be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days where submissions can be received. 2 Council receive a report on the outcome of the exhibition period when considering the adoption of the amended 2014/15 Fees and Charges for Swimming Centres and Beresfield Golf Course. KEY ISSUES 3 On 22 July, 2014, Council accepted the tender from Lane 4 Pty Ltd (Lane 4) to manage the swimming centres at Lambton, Wallsend, Mayfield and Stockton. Under the contract, Lane 4 is now responsible for setting the fees and charges for those centres. It has given notice of its intention to charge entrance fees for the 2014/15 season at a similar level to that charged by Council in the 2013/14 season. This is an immediate win for the community because these fees are at a lower level than had been approved by Council to be charged, should Council have continued to manage the operation of the pools. It is also to the advantage of Council because Lane 4’s price to manage the centres is lower than Council’s costs would have been to operate the facility internally. 4 If Council was to charge the 2014/15 Fees and Charges for the Beresfield Swimming Centre, this swimming centre would be charging higher fees and charges than Lane 4 will be for Mayfield, Wallsend and Stockton for the 2014/15 season, with the exception of the child fee and family day ticket. THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE Report to Council Meeting on 26/08/2014 Page 2 5 It is proposed that the Beresfield Swimming Centre have the same fees and charges as Lane 4 charges for the smaller pools, with the exception of the child ticket and family day ticket that will stay at the lower price as stated for 2014/15. Attachment A provides a table of the fees and charges for all swimming centres (except Lambton) including previously adopted Council fees, proposed Lane 4 fees and the new proposed fees for Beresfield Swimming Pool. 6 The Season Passes prices will be pro rated according to the weeks left in the season once the adoption of the amended fees and charges for Beresfield Pool is implemented. The adopted Fees and Charges Schedule only allowed for a twenty week season at Beresfield Pool, compared with the Council resolution to increase this to thirty weeks, requiring a change in the Season Pass fee. 7 Council’s Fees and Charges for Swimming Centres for the 2014/15 financial year will also be amended to remove Lambton, Mayfield, Wallsend and Stockton. This is due to the external contractor Lane 4 now being responsible for setting and implementing the fees and charges for these centres, under their contract with Council. 8 Once a Lease is in place, Fees and Charges for the Beresfield Golf Course operations will no longer be set and charged by the City of Newcastle through a service contract with on site operator. The incoming Lessee Golf North Pty Ltd will set fees and charges and retain the proceeds while TCoN will have no operational costs or responsibilities for site. 9 The removal of the Fees and Charges for Beresfield Golf Course from Councils Fees and Charges schedule will be contingent on commencement of a signed lease between TCoN and Golf North Pty Ltd which is currently anticipated to occur 1 October 2014. FINANCIAL IMPACT 10 The reduction in the fees and charges for Beresfield Swimming Centre will have minimal impact on the income received for Beresfield but will have a greater impact on the Beresfield community in ensuring they are receiving financial equality in accessing their swimming centre in line with Mayfield, Wallsend and Stockton Swimming Centres. 11 The 2014/15 budget proposed for Beresfield to be operating a 20 week season. The original tender specification for the management of all Council swimming centres stipulated a 30 week season for all centres other than Lambton. As per the resolution on 22 July 2014, Council will manage the Beresfield Swimming Centre for the 2014/15 season and will also operate it for a 30 week season. The approximate net operational cost to Council for the additional 10 weeks is $90,000, based upon historical information of Beresfield running for 30 weeks. The lengthening of the operational season to 30 weeks will be addressed with a budget correction at the September Quarterly Review. THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE Report to Council Meeting on 26/08/2014 Page 3 12 The Beresfield Golf Course operates with annual operating deficit which was $116,000 for the 2013/2014 financial year. The deficit varies annually according to weather conditions and other factors. It has exceeded $214,000 per annum in recent years. With the Lease arrangement Council will receive a monthly lease payment and will not have any operational responsibility for the site. COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT 13 The proposed amendments to 2014/15 Fees and Charges for swimming centres, and the Beresfield Golf Course, is in alignment with two strategic objectives including active and healthy communities with physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing; and considered decision making based on collaborative, transparent and accountable leadership. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN/IMPLICATIONS 14 Dependent upon submissions received, the adoption of the proposed amended 2014/15 Fees and Charges for Beresfield Swimming Centre will occur in line with the decision of Council following consideration of the report submitted at that time. RISK ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION 15 There is no foreseen risk in amending the fees and charges for the Beresfield Swimming Centre, as it will be a reduction in costs for the community. RELATED PREVIOUS DECISIONS 16 On 24 June 2014 Council resolved: The Delivery Program 2013-2017, the Operational Plan 2014/15 and Fees and Charges 2014/15 be adopted inclusive of: a The forecast 2014/2015 Operational Plan underlying deficit of $11.9 million, as outlined in the income and expenditure statement. b The changes outlined in Attachment A. c The implementation of General Admission fees at the Museum and Art Gallery be deferred pending presentation of a report to Council addressing packaging and implementation options. THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE Report to Council Meeting on 26/08/2014 Page 4 17 On 22 July 2014 Council resolved: 1 Council accept the revised tender of Lane 4 for Mayfield, Lambton and Wallsend Swimming centres for up to five years, and Stockton for three years. Council to internally manage Beresfield Swimming Centre and review future operation of the facility in light of attendance following the 2014/15 summer season. 2 Council requests the NSW Minister of Crown Lands to enter into a Lease with Lane 4 Pty Ltd for Lambton, and Mayfield Swimming Centres for a period of up to five (5) years, and Stockton Swimming centre for a period of three (3) years. 3 Council authorise the execution of the Wallsend Swimming Centre lease (and associated documentation) by delegation to the General Manager. 4 This confidential report relating to the matters specified in s10A(2)(d) of the Local Government Act 1993 be treated as confidential and remain confidential until Council determines otherwise. 18 On 22 July 2014 Council resolved to award Golf North Pty Ltd a 3 year lease for the Beresfield Golf Course and adjoining land for the purpose of a public golf course. CONSULTATION 19 If Council endorses the public exhibition of the draft amended 2014/15 Fees and Charges for Swimming Centres, and the Beresfield Golf Course, the following consultation process is proposed: Draft amended 2014/15 Fees and Charges for Swimming Centres and the Golf Course be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days including submissions to be received. Advertising of the draft amended 2014/15 Fees and Charges in a local newspaper, plus on Council’s website. Copies of draft amended 2014/15 Fees and Charges for Swimming Centres and Golf Club to be available at Beresfield Branch Library, Newcastle Regional Library and Council’s Administration Centre. THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE Report to Council Meeting on 26/08/2014 Page 5 OPTIONS Option 1 20 The recommendation as at Paragraphs 1 and 2. Option 2 21 Council retain the adopted 2014/15 Fees and Charges for Beresfield swimming centre. This option will financially disadvantage users of the Beresfield Swimming Centre compared to the Mayfield, Wallsend and Stockton Swimming Centres. This is not the recommended option. BACKGROUND 22 The 2014/15 Fees and Charges were adopted by Council on 24 June 2014. These fees and charges included a range of fees for the five Council inland swimming centres based on previous years operations, and for the Beresfield Golf Course. 23 On 22 July 2014 Council accepted the tender from Lane 4 to manage the Mayfield, Lambton, Wallsend and Stockton swimming centres. Beresfield Pool was to continue to be managed by Council. 24 Lane 4 based the majority of their fees and charges for the 2014/15 season upon Council’s 2013/14 approved fees. This has resulted in a discrepancy with Beresfield swimming centre now charging higher fees across all but two of the various fee categories due to the approved 2014/15 fees and charges schedule. 25 To ensure equity for the users of Beresfield Swimming Centre, these fees and charges are being proposed to be amended as per Attachment A. 26 Beresfield Golf Course is currently owned and operated by The City of Newcastle through a service contract for professional golf services and an internal service agreement with Councils Facilities and Recreation Team for course maintenance and green keeping. 27 Fees and Charges for 2014/15 related to the Golf Course were determined in consultation with the contract operator at the course and were adopted by Council on 24 June 2014. REFERENCES ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Summary of Fees and Charges THE CITY OF NEWCASTLE Report to Council Meeting on 26/08/2014 Page 6 Attachment A – Summary of Fees and Charges Beresfield, Mayfield, Stockton, and Wallsend Swimming Centre Fees and Charges TCoN Adopted 2013/14 TCoN adopted 2014/15 Lane 4 2014/15 Proposed fees and charges for BSC 2014/15 Single Admission 4.80 5.00 4.80 4.80 Children (18 Years & U) 4.80* 3.50 3.80 3.50 Child Under 3 Years Admission FREE FREE FREE FREE Pensioner Admission 2.90 3.00 2.90 2.90 Senior Card Holder 3.40 3.50 3.40 3.40 Spectator Fee (Learn to Swim Programs, Coaching, etc) 2.90 3.00 2.90 2.90 Bulk Entry (groups over 20 patrons) 2.60 2.80 2.60 2.60 Book of Tickets (10 tickets per book) 40.80 42.50 40.80 40.80 Book of Tickets (10 tickets per book) - Pensioners 24.70 25.50 24.70 24.70 Family Daily Ticket 16.80 14.90 16.80 14.90 Family Season Pass 518.00 540.00 518.00 518.00 Family ½ Season Pass 337.00 351.00 337.00 337.00 Individual Season Pass 272.00 284.00 272.00 272.00 Individual ½ Season Pass 177.00 184.00 177.00 177.00 Senior Individual Season Pass 191.00 198.00 191.00 191.00 Senior Individual ½ Season Pass 124.00 129.00 124.00 124.00 Pensioner Family Season Pass 259.00 270.00 259.00 259.00 Pensioner Family ½ Season Pass 168.00 176.00 168.00 168.00 Pensioner Season Pass 136.00 142.00 136.00 136.00 Pensioner ½ Season Pass 88.00 92.00 88.00 88.00 Lane Hire – per hour, per lane 10.80 11.10 10.80 10.80 Pool Inflatable Hire (per hour) 130.00 There was no Children fee for 2013/14 only a general admission fee ($4.80)
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 12:11:56 +0000
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