Vol. No. Vol. 2718No. 6 27
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Wednesday, January 2016 Wednesday, August13, 7, 2024
HIJINKS: Horsham’s Holy Trinity Lutheran College students will take to the stage in A Lighter Shade of Noir this week, including, from left, Ilze van Zyl as Miss Flannagan, Orlando Heal as Eustache, Edward Jones as Trent Trowel, and Hannah Polack as Clarice. Jones said the comedy play was a parody of old noir films and classic detectives, with ‘a bit of a spin on them’. Tickets are available from the college’s office for the Thursday and Friday shows. Story, page 7. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Council in firing line L
BY LAUREN HENRY
ocal Government Victoria has referred Horsham Rural City Council’s delay in adopting its annual Budget to the Chief Municipal Inspector. Local Government Minister Melissa Horne did not grant council an exemption to adopting the Budget before the June 30 deadline. The failure for a council to adopt its budget before June 30 is a breach of the Local Government Act 2020. Horsham council has attributed the delay to ‘a switch to a new finance management system as part of the
Regional Councils Corporate Collaboration Project’. The other councils involved in the project were Hindmarsh, West Wimmera and Loddon – all of which adopted their respective budgets before June 30. In a letter sent to Horsham council chief executive Sunil Bhalla on June 26, Local Government Victoria executive director Mike Gooey said he was replying as the minister had delegated Mr Bhalla’s letter requesting an extension on June 19. “I can advise that due to the timing of your request, it is not possible to consider a different date for the adop-
tion of the annual Budget by a council,” the letter read. “As you know, the adopted annual budget is the legal instrument by which a council raises lawful rates and charges on properties. It authorises a council’s administration to expend the consolidated revenue of a council for the financial year. “Without an adopted budget for 2024-25 in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2020, these may be in jeopardy. “I would urge your council to seek urgent legal advice on this situation and the consequences for Horsham Rural City Council in failing to meet
the statutory deadline of June 30 for the adoption of the annual budget. “As per our discussion, I am obligated to notify the Chief Municipal Inspector of this matter.” The Chief Municipal Inspector did not respond to The Weekly Advertiser before yesterday’s print deadline. When councillors debated whether to adopt the Budget at a July 22 meeting, Cr Claudia Haenel questioned Mr Bhalla about the validity of adopting the Budget and whether there would be ramifications for councillors in doing so. The lengthy debate about the Budget raised the ire of three councillors, and
the meeting was paused while councillors left the chambers to discuss privately whether the motion could be amended, as per the request of Cr Ian Ross. On return to the council chamber, the decision to not allow the amendment to proceed because it would change the make-up of the Budget and the rates system resulted in a disgruntled gallery, with one person being ejected, and Mayor Robin Gulline shouting. Letters of complaint about Cr Gulline’s behaviour have been lodged with the Local Government Minister. Continued page 3
IN THIS ISSUE • Mallee Machinery Field Days • Workers’ village for Minyip • Swimmers off to state championships Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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