2021-2025 Draft Council Plan and Budget
Published on 12 May 2021
Council is starting extensive consultation across Frankston City on its Draft 2021–2025 Council Plan and Budget.
Frankston City Council Mayor Kris Bolam said: “This year, for the first time, the Council Plan and Annual Budget have been combined.
“The merging of these two documents reflects how these two pieces of work inherently complement each other in the delivery of critical services and infrastructure for our City.
Council officers will be popping up at local spots across Frankston City between 19 May and 5 June, to answer residents’ questions and facilitate feedback.
The latest round of community feedback follows extensive planning and consultation during the past 12 months, to ensure the Draft Council Plan and Budget is delivering the key projects and supports our community needs.
Council reached nearly 500 residents through online surveys, workshops and phone conversations, receiving over 1,200 comments. In a first for Council, a pre-budget survey was also held in April, allowing locals to provide feedback at the crucial planning stages.
The resulting Draft 2021–2025 Council Plan and Budget sets out the strategic direction Council will take for the next four years, and aims to enhance six future key outcomes, including: healthy and safe communities, community strength, sustainable environment, well planned and liveable City, thriving economy and a progressive and engaged City. The Budget component will be reviewed annually.
Mayor Bolam said: “The draft Council Plan takes into account the needs and wishes of our community, alongside the challenges we know we will be facing in Frankston City in the coming four years, including the pandemic’s ongoing influence on our daily lives.
“The draft Budget also builds on the support we have already provided to our community, with an updated COVID-19 Recovery Package.
“It is important to note that this Draft Council Plan and Budget was created during a time of significant upheaval for our residents and local traders, with the onset of the pandemic.
“Recognising ongoing help is needed to get us back on track, this budget will build on our existing COVID Recovery Package,” Mayor Bolam said.
The package will receive a $3.86 million boost — to a total of $9.128 million in ongoing support for our community.
Mayor Bolam said: “I was proud of Council’s ability to quickly adapt last year’s budget, to accommodate the unexpected challenges the pandemic brought and we will continue to adapt — ensuring we not only meet our community’s needs but help them to thrive.”
Council Chief Financial Officer, Kim Jaensch, said in 2021–2022 the Budget provides nearly $260 million to fund service delivery and key projects — this includes over $66 million for our capital works program.
“The draft Budget provides services for people at all stages of life, maintaining our infrastructure, community facilities and parks, operating our libraries, events, festivals and art centre as well as rubbish and recycling collections,” Mrs Jaensch said.
The draft Council Plan has also been developed with a strong connection to the themes of the draft Community Vision 2040.
The Mayor applauded the cohesive and collaborative approach taken by Council to ensure the plan meets the needs of the community.
“Councillors have spent countless hours working with officers, the community and the Executive Team, to create a document that is both strategic and responsive to the needs of our community.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to be a part of a Council who have nothing but the best interest of the community in mind — and I commend my colleagues on their incredible work,” Mayor Bolam said.
The Draft 2021–2025 Council Plan and Budget is now ready for locals to review and comment on at www.frankston.vic.gov.au/CouncilPlanandBudget
For more information about our pop-up engagement events, visit Council’s website or the events tab on Council’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/FrankstonCityCouncil