Why is there no question regarding efficiencies?

According to the Warrnambool City Council website the consultation regarding the breaking of rate capping is not going to ask Ratepayers if they feel further efficiencies can be achieved.

Why Not?  Could it be that the following questions will give the answers Council are looking for?

“The consultation will ask really important questions around whether people want to see a rate cap variation, or whether they would rather see a reduction in services provided by the Council.

“If there is a preference for reducing service levels then we need to know which services the community is prepared to forgo.”   (from WCC website)

The application to the Essential Services Commission (ESC) needs to set out the following.

• the proposed higher cap for each specified financial year;
• the reasons why the council is seeking the higher cap;
• how the views of ratepayers and the community have been considered in proposing the higher cap;
• how the higher cap is an efficient use of council resources and represents value for money;
• whether other funding options have been considered and why those options are not adequate; and,
• that the assumptions and proposals in the application are consistent with the council’s long term strategy and financial management policies.

Are the questions that are going to be asked going to give a true reflection of the communities’ opinion?

We want to see efficiencies not the cutting of services, if this option is not given then submissions need to go to Council an the Essential Services Commission.