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News and updates

The Robert Wilson OAM Award for Services in Progressing Local Government Regional Cooperation

LGP recently sponsored the inaugural Robert Wilson OAM Award for Services in Progressing Local Government Regional Cooperation. This is an annual award, which is in memory of long standing Councillor Robert Wilson OAM who died tragically in 2009.

The award is for an individual councillor or council staff member for their efforts in Regional Cooperation Initiatives, where they have been nominated by their council. The award encompassed a small plaque (to be retained by the winner) and included a $1,000 donation to a charity of the winner's choice.

The successful nominee was Cr Terry Hogan AM, Mayor of Jerilderie Shire Council. Cr Paul Braybrooks OAM, Chairperson LGP Board presented the plaque to Cr Hogan at the CENTROC 2010 Summit dinner on 29 July. A $1,000 donation has been made to Can Assist of Coleambally.

$150,000 Tendering Threshold

Recent articles on this topic have stirred much debate amongst procurement and senior staff within councils. The concept of order splitting is mentioned often.

Many councils have set in place a recognised panel of suppliers for regularly purchased goods and services per the Local Government (General) Regulation, eg. engineers are noted for running annual materials and services tenders.

To assist councils gain an understanding of their requirements we refer you to 2 excerpts from ICAC that provide examples of poor practice that should not be followed.

Article on Order Splitting (513KB) "Pitfalls on Probity. Tendering and Purchasing Case Studies" ICAC 1993.

Article excerpt from (296KB) "Report on the Cessnock City Council Investigations" ICAC January 2005, see paragraph 5 relating to legal services.

The staff at LGP are happy to take any enquiries on this topic.

Diesel Fuel Rebate

LGP is pleased to offer NSW councils a service for the review and collection of outstanding diesel fuel rebates.

AIT Specialists have worked with in excess of 200 councils around Australia and recovered more than $2m in outstanding tax credits for the Local Government sector around Australia (including more than 30 NSW councils). Almost without exception, all of the councils that have taken on this service have been able to claim further funds.

AIT Specialists performs the service for NSW councils on a performance based fee structure. No fee is payable should a review establish no revenue or further revenue. The fee ceases when the review is completed with no on-going commitment and all costs involved in conducting the review are borne by AIT Specialists.

Given that this is a performance based fee structure, it makes a lot of sense for councils to make use of this service, and if a review finds that no outstanding rebates are available to be claimed, at least the council can be assured that their "house is in order" on this matter.

For more details on the fuel rebate consultancy program click on the AIT Specialists Flyer (33KB) or contact either;

Ian Trestrail AIT Specialists on 0427 619 668, ian.trestrail@aitspecialists.com.au or Angela Tesoriero LGP on 02 8270 8705 or atesoriero@lgp.org.au.