Since 1 July 2010, Coffs Harbour City Council has been using a new set of strategic tools to set out the budgets, activities and performance measures to be pursued to help achieve the organisation's objectives.
The new format meets the legislative requirements of the State's Integrated Planning and Reporting (IPR) Framework. The reforms are intended to enhance local councils' long-term focus in line with the aspirations of their communities. They are also designed to make councils more accountable.
Council sets out the activities it proposes to pursue through a four-year Delivery Program and a subsidiary, one-year Operational Plan (accompanied by Program Budgets and a schedule of Council Fees and Charges). The format matches the thematic structure of the Coffs Harbour 2030 Community Strategic Plan and is supported by a Resourcing Strategy that addresses Long Term Financial Planning, Asset Management and Workforce Management.
The Delivery Program and Operational Plan have to be reviewed every year. Every four years (after each local government election), each council is also required to review its Community Strategic Plan and Long Term Financial Plan. Since the September 2012 election, Council has undertaken a broad review of its IPR framework. The exhibition period for the draft Program Budgets 2013/2017 has been completed.