The Integrated Planning and Reporting framework is a requirement by the New South Wales government. It aims to ensure that councils better reflect community aspirations within their activities undertaken. Integrated planning involves the creation of a Community Strategic Plan which is a community owned document, driven by Council. It is a minimum ten year planning cycle – and in our case we have produced a 13 year plan. From this plan, Council’s ten year, four year and annual plans are developed.
The aim of the new planning model is to ensure that Council’s take a strategic long term approach to their activities and include the planning activities of other levels of government. Council is also required to regularly report to the community on how well their plans are being implemented. It is hoped that the new process will also empower the community to be more involved in decision making.
The Community Engagement Strategy outlines how Council will engage with its community and relevant stakeholders in developing and finalising the Community Strategic Plan. Over time it will be reviewed to outline how Council will ensure regular engagement and discussion with our community about their needs and aspirations for the town.
The Community Strategic Plan identifies the long term aspirations for our communities. The Strategic Plan stretches beyond the next ten years, identifying the outcomes and long term strategic responses needed to achieve the agreed directions and meet the community’s values. It demands strong leadership from Council in working with others to grow our Shire into the future.
The 4 Year Delivery Program links the ‘planning’ in the long term Strategic Plan with the ‘implementing’ in the Annual Operational Plan. It is the strategic document that guides the organisation’s work program over the Councillor’s four year elected term. The Delivery Program sets out clear priorities, ongoing activities and specific actions Council will undertake, within its responsibilities and capacity, towards achieving the community’s outcomes.
Cobar Shire Council’s State of Our Region Report has been prepared under Section 428 and Essential Element 1.10 of the Local Government Act 1993. Council is required to produce a Report every four (4) years at the end of each Council Term. The Report from the outgoing Council should measure the implementation and effectiveness of the Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, Resource Strategy and Annual Operational Plan in achieving its community, economic, governance, infrastructure and environmental strategies over the past four years.