Agenda of Ordinary Meeting of Council - Monday, September 13, 2021

Report submitted to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday 13 September 2021

RP-2

RP-2 POL 075 - Investment Policy

Author: Carolyn Rodney

General Manager: Peter Thompson

Summary:

Council’s Investment Policy (POL 075) is required to be reviewed annually with any amendments approved by Council. A review has been undertaken and only minor amendments are proposed to the current Policy. This Policy is presented to Council for endorsement and placement on public exhibition.

Recommendation

That Council:

a note the recommendation from the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee contained within this report

b note only minor changes are proposed to POL 075 – Investment Policy

c endorse the draft POL 075 - Investment Policy, that is to be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 14 September 2021 to 12 October 2021 and invite public submissions until 26 October 2021 on the draft policy

d receive a further report following the exhibition and submission period:

i addressing any submissions made in respect of the proposed POL 075 – Investment Policy

ii proposing adoption of the Policy unless there are any recommended amendment deemed to be substantial and requiring a further public exhibition period

Report

Council’s Investment Policy provides a framework for Council officers who have been delegated by the General Manager to invest Council funds. The Policy ensures that adequate controls are in place to ensure Council’s investments are managed appropriately, in order to maximise the return to Council in accordance with the risk appetite of Council.

A review of the Investment Policy has been undertaken with input from Council’s independent investment advisor, Imperium Markets. In undertaking this review, Imperium Markets and Council officers took into consideration the general economic and market conditions as well as the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following this review, it was determined that there is only one minor amendment proposed to the Investment Horizon limits included in the Policy. It is proposed to change the following limits:

· Medium term funds (2-5 years) – increase from 50.0% to 60.0% maximum allocation

· Long term funds (5-10 years) – reduce from 25.0% to 15.0% maximum allocation

The reasoning for this adjustment is that the long term fund horizon limit (currently 25.0% maximum allocation) is largely unallocated given maximum duration of most complying attractive fixed interest securities is 5-5 ½ years. Currently, the most value being seen by Council in this low interest rate environment is in the 2-5 ½ year horizon.

If significant economic or market conditions are experienced, section 1.9 Review procedures allows for a further review of this Policy. If this is to occur, Council officers will undertake a review in consultation with Council’s independent investment advisor.

The Policy was provided to the 19 August 2021 Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee meeting seeking feedback. The resolution from that meeting was:

That the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee:

a note only minor changes are proposed to POL 075 - Investment Policy

b recommend Council adopt the reviewed POL 075 - Investment Policy, noting the minor changes

To allow community feedback on the Policy, it is recommended that the Policy be placed on public exhibition for the period 14 September 2021 to 12 October 2021 and invite public submissions until 26 October 2021.

Financial Implications

The content of the Investment Policy determines what types of investments and terms are allowable and its content outlines the framework Council officers are able to work within in making investment decisions. The role of Council officers responsible for managing Council’s investment portfolio is to maximise investment revenue earned, whilst adhering to the Investment Policy.

Council’s portfolio balance was $164.8M at 31 July 2021 with budgeted investment income for the 2021/22 financial year of $1.8M.

Policy and Legislation

POL 075 – Investment Policy

Local Government Act 1993 – Section 625

Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 – Section 212

Link to Strategic Plan

Community Leadership and Collaboration

Objective: We have strong leadership

Outcome: We are accountable and transparent

Risk Management Issues for Council

The Investment Policy attempts to mitigate the potential loss of investment income or capital resulting from ongoing management of investments, especially during difficult economic times.

As required by the Local Government Regulation 2005, Council officers report monthly to Council on the investment portfolio performance and position.

Internal / External Consultation

Council’s independent investment advisor, Imperium Markets, has reviewed the policy and has provided adjustments where necessary.

Council officers have also reported the reviewed Policy to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee, at its 19 August 2021 meeting.

If Council resolve to place the draft Policy on public exhibition, the following methods of consultation will be utilised:

Mail

Media

Community Engagement

Digital

Rates notices insert

Direct mail

Letterbox drop

Council news story

Council News advert

Media releases

TV/radio advertising

One-on-one meetings

Your Say website

Community meetings

Stakeholder workshops

Drop-in sessions

Surveys and feedback forms

Social media

Email newsletters

Website

Digital advertising

TIER

Consult

Attachments

1 ⇩.

POL 075 - Investment Policy

Report submitted to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday 13 September 2021

RP-5

RP-5 RRL DEED OF AGREEMENT EXPIRY DATE AND WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL LIBRARY SERVICE OPTIONS

Director: Janice Summerhayes

General Manager: Peter Thompson

Summary:

Wagga Wagga City Council is currently reviewing whether to join the Riverina Regional Library (RRL) network again when the next agreement commences in July 2022 OR alternatively, to not participate in the next RRL agreement and provide library services on a standalone basis.

RRL member Councils voted at the 31 March 2021 Advisory Committee meeting on a recommendation from the RRL Executive Director through the RRL Executive Committee to adopt a new model for Council contributions to RRL. The majority of member Councils voted for this model. The model adopted by the RRL Advisory Committee for the next agreement period is referenced in the attached Councillor Briefing paper as Option 1a. This model reduces the Wagga City Council payment to RRL from $1,333,856 (2020/21) to an estimated $1,158,181 (2022/23).

This report seeks Councillors to approve the Standalone Wagga Wagga City Library Service Option on expiry of the current RRL Deed of Agreement. This approval will allow a timeframe for RRL planning and member Council notifications leading up to the June 2022 expiry of the current Deed of Agreement. Please note that accompanying this report and under separate cover there is a confidential report and briefing paper with detailed costings. Following the 26 July 2021 Ordinary Council Meeting resolution, there is also under confidential separate cover the consultation findings report and a summary in this report for the five villages that currently receive the RRL mobile library truck fortnightly service.

Recommendation

That Council:

a approve the Standalone Wagga Wagga City Library Service Option on expiry of the current RRL Deed of Agreement at 30 June 2022

b noting if this option is supported no further funds will be requested to undertake the rest of the proposed works in Stage 2 Library Review as the proposed reserve to be established in the Standalone Option will be used to leverage funds for any capital works required from State and Federal funds received

c send a letter of thanks and acknowledgement to Riverina Regional Library for the services provided over the past term agreements

Report

Under the NSW Library Act 1939 (Act) where two or more local authorities wish to enter into an agreement relating to local library services the Act specifies agreements being 12(1), 12(2) and 12(A). The Riverina Regional Library (RRL) operates under 12(1) of the Act.

The relationship between RRL and its member councils is determined by a number of

documents including a four-year Deed of Agreement with an annual Service Agreement specifying general areas of service provision. As part of the Deed of Agreement operating parameters Wagga Wagga City Council is the Executive Council providing the administrative services for RRL.

From Council’s adopted Cultural Plan 2020-2030 a Wagga Wagga City Library Review was undertaken and endorsed by Council at the 18 January 2021 Ordinary Council meeting. As detailed in stage 2 of the Library review there was a high value placed by the community on the existing central library facility and services. However, it was noted at the same time the Library needed to expand its service for current and growing population needs of the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area, at both the Civic Centre location and to provide a new agile library program service, which was more than a borrowing service to the City’s suburban neighbourhoods and village communities across the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area. Stage 2 recommendations in the Library review were interdependent with the outcomes of the separate consultation review with RRL re: the funding Deed of Agreement beyond the expiry date of 30 June 2022. The catalysts for re-examining Wagga Wagga City Council’s participation in RRL is due to the following:

· Being able to implement the adopted Library review recommendations against a growing population for all residents in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area (LGA), of which takes account of extensive consultation and feedback from our residents and ratepayers. This identified gaps and inequity issues in current service levels and the ability to expand and deliver new services across the Local Government Area (LGA) and across city suburbs.

· The cost and contribution rate that Wagga Wagga City Library pays to RRL in the current agreement is unsustainable as it renders WWCC with no capacity to increase or introduce new service levels for Library service provision across the LGA. This is important in the wider context of Council’s deficit budgets forecasted in the Long-Term Financial Plan.

A briefing paper on the Riverina Regional Library (RRL) Deed of Agreement expiry come June 2022 and Wagga Wagga City Council Library Service options was tabled at a Councillor workshop on 5 July 2021. The briefing paper is attached to the accompanying confidential report which provides the detailed costings and information of the options. This is due to individuals in positions and commercial in confidence costings.

The current services provided by RRL to Wagga Wagga City Library (WWCL) are as follows:

1. Procurement contract management for the outsourced purchasing and processing of collections (physical and electronic). Some on-site processing for DVDs and donated books.

2. Contract management for the provision of the library management system, which manages stock and members.

3. Community learning programs and promotional material. The current programs that Wagga City Library utilises from RRL are Book Club tubs (450 tubs pa), Storytime kits (40 kits pa), and the 5 allocated sessions per annum from RRL staff, delivered at the Wagga branch as Baby Bounce sessions.

A mobile library delivery and collection service that occurs fortnightly to the following villages for residents to borrow books, DVDs, magazines and audio books.

Village	Day	Time	Frequency
Uranquinty	Mondays	3.30pm – 5:00pm	90 minutes fortnightly
Collingullie	Tuesdays	3:45pm – 4:45pm	1-hour fortnightly
Humula	Wednesdays	9:15am – 11:15am	2-hours fortnightly
Ladysmith	Thursdays	1:30pm – 2:15pm	45 mins fortnightly
Tarcutta	Fridays	9:00am – 11:00am	2-hours fortnightly

4. Provision of RRL governance and library operational policies and procedures.

5. Internal courier service for moving tubs of books, DVDs, audio books and magazines between branches for inter branch loans.

6. Provision of two Branch member meetings per annum. One is an annual training session. The other is a general business Branch library meeting.

7. Managing the eLibrary services contract including provision of eBooks and other resources, hosting online databases and maintaining the RRL website.

8. Administration services for the RRL Advisory Committee and a report to the Executive Council including the six-monthly service level agreement performance report, collation of member council statistics for the annual regional Bibliostat return to the State Library NSW and by request crystal data reports for branches.

Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC) and all RRL member Councils enjoy reciprocal borrowing rights with all the other Councils across NSW. This means our residents can use other Council’s library facilities and vice versa. This reciprocal arrangement is set up by the State Library NSW with each NSW Council. WWCC is the Executive Council for the RRL. In this capacity we provide financial management and accounting, fleet management, human resources and hold the key risks associated with the RRL service as the only legal entity attached to the functions of the RRL. WWCC was paid $76,337 in 2020/21 for the provision of these services and risk acceptance.

In preparation for the next Deed of Agreement, RRL has reviewed its fee calculation methodology. This reviewed methodology reduces the Wagga Wagga City Library contribution from $1,333,856 (2020/21) to an estimated $1,158,181 in the first year of the new agreement term (2022/23), should WWCC decide to continue as a member in the new agreement. The total cost of the Wagga Wagga City Library service for 2022/23 would be $2,446,600.

WWCC has an alternative option, which is to stand alone and not join the RRL when the next agreement is formed. The total proposed cost for a Standalone Library service model is $2,491,466 for 2022/23. The confidential report on this matter within this business paper includes detailed costings for this option. Council has an adopted Long-Term Financial Plan allocation of $2,715,980 for 2022/23 for the total Wagga City Library service that includes the RRL service components that RRL provide. If Council was to move to a Standalone Library service model, there would be a saving of $224,514 for 2022/23 against the current adopted Long Term Financial Plan. The Standalone option provides increased services for residents and ratepayers, as well as providing for a better value proposition that would include the establishment of a Library reserve and savings returned to the deficit position of Council across the 2022/23 Long Term Financial Plan.

The main benefit to the Wagga Wagga community of moving to a standalone library service is that Council will be able to provide BOTH the services provided by the Riverina Regional Library plus a whole range of additional services including a 100% increase to the current village service frequency, the extension of the village service to include all 9 villages (up from 5 currently provided by RRL) and a new service established for the suburbs of Wagga Wagga, the delivery of programs to all the villages and suburbs and an increase in service levels at the Civic Centre.

At the 26 July 2021 Ordinary Council meeting Council resolved (21/217) the following:

That Council defer consideration of this report until further community consultation has been completed with villages that currently utilise the RRL Service.

Council staff undertook community consultation from 29 July – 24 August 2021 with the 5 rural villages currently receiving the RRL Mobile Library Service. Community consultation was held in a variety of settings and in accordance with COVID -19 NSW Health Orders which included the NSW state-wide lockdown orders which came into effect on Saturday 14 August 2021. Consultations occurred onsite at each village pre lockdown and depending on the preference and availability of community members, community meetings were held at rural halls, neighbourhood centres, local community hotel, village parks, schools and places of business. Some community members preferred one on one meetings at the Civic Centre or via teleconferencing, phone, email and zoom meetings.

Staff consultation had 57 responses from a wide range of community members representing Progress Associations, Country Women’s Associations, Hall committees, local charity organisations, current mobile library users, non-mobile library users, Director from Uranquinty and Manager (auspiced by Snowy Valley Council) of two early childhood program services providing weekly services at Tarcutta, Ladysmith and Uranquinty, the four school principals of the public primary schools in Humula, Uranquinty, Ladysmith and Tarcutta, teaching staff and primary school student representatives, members of parents and citizen groups, members of a local football and netball club, book clubs, parents and carers of children involved in playgroups, local business owners and operators and other interested members of the general public.

An information sheet and visuals of an Agile Library Van and types of programs that could be delivered was distributed to community representatives to share with other members of the community interested in this proposal. A survey questionnaire was developed asking community participants if they were in support of the proposed Agile Library Service or not and the reasons for their response to this question. Some community members chose to complete this written survey, others preferred that their comments were recorded by staff as part of group discussions or at one on one meetings or sent in their responses via email as part of this community consultation process. Detailed responses from the consultations with each of the 5 villages is attached under confidential separate cover for Councillors.

The community responses from Collingullie, Ladysmith and Uranquinty supported the proposed Agile Library Van Service. Whilst there was support received from community representatives from Humula and Tarcutta there was also some community members that were not supportive of a change to the current service.

Overall across the 5 rural village communities the feedback indicated support to increase the library service offering to the rural villages that would be inclusive and scheduled to respond to the needs of the community, citing the service needed to consider and be flexible to support families with children, adult learners, student needs, aged residents and provide an inclusive service so that all rural village and surrounding residents could access the service. Feedback reflected the community representatives’ interest in this service contributing toward keeping communities connected, supporting literacy and learning, mental health support and reducing rural isolation. Community representatives raised questions regarding inclement weather and offered solutions in terms of accessing available community infrastructure and their willingness to co-design the scheduling of the service so that it met individual community needs.

Other key discussion areas were around library borrowing and access to Wagga Wagga City Library’s collection holdings (physical and digital), patchy internet access to be boosted with tech solutions in some rural locations, best approaches to promotion of the service in the community, types of programs proposed to be delivered. The addition of library programs along with a weekly borrowing service operated by a library officer employed as part of the Wagga Wagga City Library team and access to its diverse collection holdings was well received. It is however, important to acknowledge those concerns raised and non-support by some representatives from Humula and Tarcutta for a change to the current service. These concerns were around the loss of the Mobile Truck vehicle and driver, the questioning of the real motives of Council, fears that the community would eventually lose their library service altogether, managing inclement weather, the current condition of some of their community infrastructure, along with concerns regarding impact on the student library experience at Humula and Tarcutta public schools, and accessing these two school sites.

Based on the overall consultation responses across the 5 rural villages currently receiving the mobile library truck service, staff are recommending proceeding with the Agile Library Service as part of the Standalone Model. Staff are confident that the issues of concern raised by some community members from Humula and Tarcutta villages as detailed above can be addressed through partnership arrangements and activation of existing community infrastructure. It is recognised that the pace and co-designing scheduling to each village is an important part of the engagement work that staff will undertake if Council resolves to proceed with this standalone model.

There are a great many benefits for the wider community and the library that the consultation feedback has highlighted, particularly when the agile van service is integrated and connected to all library and other council services and programs as follows:

Benefits include:

· Access to library services is made available for everyone regardless of location

· Community partnerships are developed

· Connections are made with non-users and vulnerable or isolated populations

· Opportunities for lifelong learning are explored, developed and strengthened

· The Library gains a growing awareness about the needs and interests of their wider community and can connect other service providers

· Activation of rural village community infrastructure

· An extended overall service to all 9 villages and suburbs of Wagga Wagga to ensure an equitable place service for those communities and neighbourhoods.

· Responds to the United Nations sustainable development goals as indicated by the Australian Library and Information Association

The Standalone option for Wagga Wagga City Library Service is recommended by staff post June 2022, as this represents a strong return on investment proposition to Council, residents and ratepayers living in the Wagga Wagga LGA. Staff have taken on board Councillor feedback out of the Councillor workshop held on 5 July 2021 for this option to be gradually implemented over six to twelve months post 2022, so as to allow for internal staff project management and to take account of flexible engagement of schedules with rural and suburban locations, to adjust accordingly to specific locational needs. In addition to applying for available external grants, staff will be using the reserve that is established under this option to leverage other grant funding to progress with design/fit out and location improvements to tested community buildings and spaces as part of meeting the Library review recommendations.

This option will enable Wagga Wagga City Library (WWCL) to deliver the recommendations outlined in Stage 2 of the Wagga Wagga Library review including expanded services at the Library and the establishment of new library services for the community in suburban and village locations across the LGA. Importantly this option will provide a reserve for the WWCL to leverage other Federal and State Funding along with returning a saving to the deficit position of the Long-Term Financial Plan. The Standalone option will address the following:

· Delivery of a contemporary, responsive best practice library service as benchmarked and requested by the community out of extensive consultation undertaken as part of the Wagga Wagga Library Review

· Increased library service provision to current and new community library users across 7 days per week at the civic centre location and the establishment of new, weekly library service provision to suburban and village locations across the LGA.

· Respond to Council’s 28 September 2020 resolution to reduce social and community disadvantage by providing an on-going service to SA1 locations for example: sequencing this service as part of the renewal and social transformation planning project for Tolland.

· Increase library membership to 50%+ of the total Wagga Wagga LGA population (currently 30%) through expanded hub and spoke service model.

· Enable the creation of an internal Library reserve based on 50% of the budget saving to fund any co-contributions required of grant funding applications.

· Enable WWCL to test and pilot other Stage 2 Library Review projects identified such as library kiosks, ‘library of things’ in suburban locations and other outreach models with partners such as the CSU library and Estella Public School community hall.

· Provide 50% of the saving back to WWCC to assist with deficit budgets over the life of the LTFP.

The following information details how this has been determined.

To operate a standalone library service, we would need to provide the current RRL services noting we would not be required to operate an internal courier service or administer the RRL advisory committee. Providing this service internally will require:

1. Procurement and vendor contract management for the outsourced purchasing and processing of collections (physical and electronic). Some on-site processing for DVDs and donated books $418,009

2. Contract management for the provision of the library management system the operating system to manage stock and members $110,819

3. Community learning program resources for the book club tubs (450 tubs pa), the Storytime kits (40 kits pa), and baby bounce program $134,482

4. Liaise directly with State Library NSW for library related policies and procedures.

In the transition period, Wagga City Library with the guidance of the State Library NSW would review library related policies and processes, noting this would not require any major changes. Continual update of policies and procedures would be undertaken by the Manager - Library Services on a regular basis in consultation with the State Library NSW as part of their substantive role.

There is no training or gaps analysis costs to be considered as the State Library NSW provides up to date information and support on any changes to library related polices as part of their role in supporting public library staff across NSW.

5. Managing the eLibrary services contract including provision of eBooks, eAudio, eMagazines, discovery tools and hosting online databases on the WWCL website $82,432

6. Submit the annual Bibliostat return direct to the State Library NSW and run our own crystal data reports.

Bibliostat statistics for State Library of NSW. This is ongoing recording of data by Program and Circulation staff – eg. member numbers, programs, visits, collection size, number of information requests, reservations filled, public internet usage. This task is currently undertaken by the current Program and Circulation staff so there would be no additional costs required to complete this work. The Systems Officer would collate and submit the annual Bibliostat data $3,604

7. WWCL would become an independent member of the South West Zone Digital Library consortium $42,207

8. Cost of delivering equivalent RRL services to current 5 villages of Humula, Ladysmith, Uranquinty, Collingullie and Tarcutta $38,454

*Based on a fortnightly service without programming for comparison with the RRL “collect and return” service.

Total upfront cost in first year (2022/23) is $830,007, to deliver items 1-8 above.

Total recurrent cost thereafter is:

Year	Recurrent cost
2023/24	$742,850
2024/25	$763,643
2025/26	$785,130
2026/27	$807,338
2027/28	$830,292
2028/29	$854,021
2029/30	$878,552
2030/31	$903,915

Additional Services to be provided

1. In the Standalone model for the current 5 villages the service would be twice as frequent, being delivered weekly instead of fortnightly for an additional cost of $27,343.

2. In addition to the ‘collect and return’ service provided by RRL, Wagga City Library would offer outreach programs to villages and suburbs.

3. The Agile Service Officer’s salary includes the face to face delivery of the programs as per the Village Circuit Program table below. To enable direct comparison with the RRL service cost, the costs already identified above have been excluded from the table below. As a result, the table reflects only the additional costs to provide the additional services to the RRL service option.

Location	Program description	Material Unit Cost	Cost
Tarcutta, Humula, Ladysmith, Uranquinty and Collingullie	30 x Storytime sessions per annum	6 sessions per village @ $18 per session	$540
	10 x Tech Savvy Community classes per annum	2 sessions per village @$175 per session	$1,750
	5 x Science/School Holiday Programs per annum	1 session per village @ $108	$540
	10 x Community Partnership programs in Community Legal, Health and Wellbeing per annum	2 sessions per village @ $10	$100
Total program materials			$2,930

In addition to increasing the service level to the 5 villages serviced by RRL to a weekly service instead of a fortnightly service, the Wagga City Library standalone option would increase the Wagga City Council service level in 2 further ways:

1. Firstly, it is proposed that Wagga expand the village library service to the 4 villages of Oura, Mangoplah, Galore and Currawarna. These villages which would receive the new weekly library service discussed above for the 5 villages that the RRL currently services fortnightly.

The addition of these villages to the library services we offer would cost an additional $52,638 for vehicle, collections and staffing plus $5,274 in program material costs.

Location	Program description	Material Unit Cost	Cost
Oura, Mangoplah, Galore & Currawarna,	24 x Storytime sessions per annum	6 sessions per village @ $18 per session	$432
	8 x Tech Savvy Community classes per annum	2 sessions per village @$175 per session	$1,400
	4 x Science/School Holiday Programs per annum	1 session per village @ $108	$432
	8 x Community Partnership programs in Community Legal, Health and Wellbeing per annum	2 sessions per village @ $10	$80
Total program materials			$2,344

2. Secondly, it is proposed that the Wagga library service is expanded to direct service delivery in Wagga Wagga suburbs (which are not currently serviced at all by the RRL). In total it proposed that the remote service would be provided to 9 suburbs in Wagga. The additional costs for this new service initiative would be program costs of $7,326 ($814 per suburb) and vehicle, collections and staff costs $118,435, totalling $125,761. The Agile Service Officer’s salary includes the face to face delivery of the programs as described in the Suburban Circuit Program table below. These costings exclude the staff costs already listed above of which support the outreach programming.

Location	Program description	Material Unit Cost	Cost
Boorooma, Estella, Glenfield Park, Tolland, Ashmont, Mount Austin, Kooringal, Lake Albert and Turvey Park.	54 x Storytime sessions per annum	6 sessions per suburb @ $18 per session	$972
	18 x Tech Savvy Community classes per annum	2 sessions per suburb @$175 per session	$3,150
	9 x Science/School Holiday Programs per annum	1 session per suburb @ $108	$972
	18 x Community Partnership programs in Community Legal, Health and Wellbeing per annum	2 sessions per suburb @ $80	$180
	36 x Multicultural services – Language Café per annum	4 sessions per suburb @ $18	$648
	36 x Baby Bounce sessions per annum	4 sessions per suburb @ $39	$1,404
Total program materials			$7,326

Also, in addition to all the expanded library offerings identified above, it is also proposed that the services at the Civic Centre be expanded. Under the standalone model, additional services could be offered at the Civic Centre with expanded services offered across 7 days including:

· Multicultural Services would be increased from 10 hours per week to 5 days per week for Language Café classes and commence targeted Storytime, homework, study groups, Tech Savvy Community multicultural sessions.

· Additional resources for Storytime sessions targeted at new parents and carers (offered daily 5 days per week) and Baby Bounce x 40 sessions.

· Commencement of regular facilitated after hours and weekend programming which includes additional salaries for staff to provide onsite homework, research and study help, coding, author talks, book clubs, music, creative, science and technology

Total $97,353

Cost Comparison

The cost adopted by RRL to provide the RRL services to Wagga City Library in 2022/23 is $1,158,181. If Wagga City Library was to deliver the equivalent RRL services (as described in points 1-8 on pages 1–3 in this document) and the additional services proposed (as described on pages 4-5 in this document) this would total $1,138,376 for 2022/23. On this basis, Council would be able to provide everything it currently receives from RRL, plus increasing the service level in the 5 villages by 100%, plus extending the service to 4 more villages, plus extending the service to 9 suburbs, plus increasing the services at the civic centre at a total saving of $19,805 compared to the RRL fee to provide the limited services offered by RRL.

If Wagga City Library was to remain as part of the RRL service, under the proposed RRL model and with all services levels remaining status quo, the overall Wagga City Library would cost $2,446,600 for 2022/23. This total includes a payment of $77, 271 paid by RRL to Wagga Council for providing the services of the executive council to the RRL.

The total proposed cost for the Wagga City Library to deliver a standalone library model is $2,491,466 for 2022/23. This would result in the standalone model costing an additional $44,866, with Council to provide the equivalent RRL services, current City Library services as well as new expanded services to the 9 rural villages, 9 suburban locations and increased services at the Civic Centre site. If Wagga Council was not the executive Council to RRL the RRL cost in the previous paragraph would be $77,271 higher and so the standalone option would then be $32,405 cheaper than the RRL option.

You will note there is a discrepancy between the above paragraphs being a predicted $19,805 saving in the narrative in the first paragraph and slightly different saving of $32,405 in the narrative of the 3^rd paragraph. The reason for this difference is that it is proposed that some of the program costs could be covered from the library budget without being separately identified and raised and so the standalone option is likely to be slightly cheaper than the service by service cost breakdown provided in the tables above.

Council has adopted LTFP allocation of $2,715,980 for 2022/23 for the Wagga City Library service. Attachment E provides the detailed costings of the standalone model.

These costs are based on prices sourced from vendor providers, charges listed in the RRL Management Plan 2020/21 and benchmarked against Albury City Library’s standalone service which is comparable to the size of the Wagga Wagga City Library and internal staff costings. See Attachment E for the details of these costings.

The standalone option is recommended by staff for WWCL to pursue post June 2022, as this represents a strong return on investment proposition to Council, residents and ratepayers living in the Wagga Wagga LGA.

It is recommended that Councillors approve the Standalone Wagga Wagga City Library Service Option on expiry of the current RRL Deed of Agreement at 30 June 2022.

Financial Implications

The cost adopted by RRL to provide the RRL services to Wagga City Library in 2022/23 is estimated at $1,158,181. If Wagga City Library was to deliver the equivalent RRL services and the additional services proposed this would total $1,138,376 for 2022/23. On this basis, Council would be able to provide everything it currently receives from RRL, plus increasing the service level in the 5 villages by 100%, plus extending the service to 4 more villages, plus extending the service to 9 suburbs, plus increasing the services at the civic centre at a total saving of $19,805 compared to the RRL fee to provide the limited services offered by RRL.

If Wagga City Library was to remain as part of the RRL service, under the proposed RRL model and with all services levels remaining status quo, the overall Wagga City Library would cost $2,446,600 for 2022/23. This total includes a payment of $77,271 paid by RRL to Wagga Council for providing the services of the executive council to the RRL.

The total proposed cost for the Wagga City Library to deliver a Standalone library model is $2,491,466 for 2022/23. This would result in the standalone model costing an additional $44,866, with Council to provide the equivalent RRL services, current City Library services as well as new expanded services to the 9 rural villages, 9 suburban locations and increased services at the Civic Centre site. If Wagga Council was not the executive Council to RRL the RRL cost in the previous paragraph would be $77,271 higher and so the standalone option would then be $32,405 cheaper than the RRL option.

Council has an adopted LTFP allocation of $2,715,980 for 2022/23 for the Wagga City Library service. Adopting the standalone library model would save Council $224,514 in 2022/23. The confidential report on this matter details the costings for the Standalone Option 3 Library Service model.

Policy and Legislation

NSW Library Act 1939

Wagga Wagga City Council Cultural Plan 2020-2030

Link to Strategic Plan

Community Leadership and Collaboration

Objective: We have strong leadership

Outcome: We plan long term

Risk Management Issues for Council

Any risks for service option implementation will be addressed as part of project and service delivery risk management assessments and controls.

Internal / External Consultation

The options have been informed by previous community consultation and survey processes and engagement with Council’s Cultural Plan and the Library Review, LGA wide survey, engagement with Councillors, RRL Executive Director and RRL Advisory Committee meetings and resolutions, and August rural village consultations for the current five villages receiving the RRL fortnightly borrow and collect mobile library truck service, along with any relevant Wagga Wagga City Council resolutions.

Mail

Media

Community Engagement

Digital

Rates notices insert

Direct mail

Letterbox drop

Council news story

Council News advert

Media releases

TV/radio advertising

One-on-one meetings

Your Say website

Community meetings

Stakeholder workshops

Drop-in sessions

Surveys and feedback forms

Social media

Email newsletters

Website

Digital advertising

TIER

Consult

Involve

Collaborate

Attachments

1 .	1. Confidential Report Attachment RRL Deed Of Agreement and Wagga Wagga City Council Library Service Options September 2021 This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, as it deals with: personnel matters concerning particular individuals. - Provided under separate cover
2 .	2. Councillor Workshop - Briefing Paper - RRL Deed of Agreement Options This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, as it deals with: personnel matters concerning particular individuals. - Provided under separate cover
3 .	3.Villages Consultation Combined Responses This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, as it deals with: personnel matters concerning particular individuals. - Provided under separate cover
4 .	Appendix A - RRL Deed of Agreement 2018-2022 This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, as it deals with: personnel matters concerning particular individuals. - Provided under separate cover
5 .	Appendix B Types and examples of Regional library agreements under section 12 This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, as it deals with: personnel matters concerning particular individuals. - Provided under separate cover
6 .	Appendix C - Notice of Intent of Wagga Wagga City Library This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, as it deals with: personnel matters concerning particular individuals. - Provided under separate cover
7 .	Appendix D - 1. Report - RRL Advisory Committee Meeting - 31 March 2021 - RP - 8 This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, as it deals with: personnel matters concerning particular individuals. - Provided under separate cover
8 .	Appendix D - 2 Copy of RP-8 RRL Branch Cost Calculations 2020-21 (including log scale) This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, as it deals with: personnel matters concerning particular individuals. - Provided under separate cover
9 .	Appendix D - 3 LATE REPORT RP-14 WAGGA WAGGA CITY LIBRARY REVIEW This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, as it deals with: personnel matters concerning particular individuals. - Provided under separate cover
10 .	Appendix E - Option 3 Standalone Costings This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, as it deals with: personnel matters concerning particular individuals. - Provided under separate cover
11 .	Appendix F - Reciprocal Membership Agreement 1997 This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, as it deals with: personnel matters concerning particular individuals. - Provided under separate cover

*Item Number*	*Fee and Charge Description*	*Pricing Policy ID*	*2021/22 Fee (exclusive of GST)*	*GST*	*2021/22 Fee (inclusive of GST)*	*Basis*
NEW	Conduct Money - Subpoenas	C	$30.00	$0.00	$30.00	Each

=	=	=	;	a
Critical	Attention	On track	On hold/not due	Completed
0	12	22	15	237