Looking back on the last year – Golden Plains Shire council meeting briefs

AT the last Golden Plains Shire ordinary council meeting before the election, last financial year’s annual report was approved.

As the meeting occurred under the election period policy, no actions or decisions could be made which may influence voters and councillors could not speak on agenda items.

The annual report details the challenges and achievements of Golden Plains Shire in the last financial year, and one change noted in the report was the departure of former CEO Eric Braslis in May.

Achievements noted in the report included bridge repairs, the completion of the Leighdale Equestrian Centre and the Lethbridge Play Space, community engagement, and financial management.

Future challenges detailed were population growth, sustainability, economic diversification and maintaining roads and infrastructure.

Financial deficit greater than expected

Councillors also noted last financial year’s financial and performance statements where Golden Plains Shire had an operating surplus of $100,000 compared to the previous years $3.1 million surplus.

The adjusted underlying result after removing non-recurrent capital grants, cash capital contributions and non-monetary capital contributions, was a deficit of $9.3 million.

The expected underlying deficit was $400,000.

The reason for the unexpected result was noted as because financial assistance grants for this financial year were not received in advance as they have been in the past.