FAQ
What is Integrated Planning and Reporting?
Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) is the planning and reporting framework that Bellingen Shire Council uses to work towards achieving the community’s vision.
Under NSW State legislation, Councils must prepare a number of plans which provide details on how Council intends to deliver works and services in the short and long term. This is based on the community’s priorities which have been identified through consultation and engagement as well as the resources available to council in delivering these items.
The framework ensures Councils illustrate their various plans together, to understand how they interact in planning for the future. The framework opens the way for Council and our community to have important discussions about funding priorities, service levels and shaping local identity and to plan in partnership for a more sustainable future.
What is the Community Vision?
What key questions should the Community Strategic Plan address?
The Community Strategic Plan essentially addresses four key questions for the community:
• Where are we now?
• Where do we want to be in 10 years’ time?
• How will we get there?
• How will we know we’ve arrived?
The council’s role is to guide the community
through these important discussions and to
document the response in a meaningful plan.
However, it should be clearly understood that
it is not the council’s responsibility to deliver
every aspect of the Community Strategic Plan.
What timeframe should the Community Strategic Plan cover?
The minimum timeframe for a Community
Strategic Plan is 10 years. This is based on
accepted principles of strategic planning
and reflects the requirements of the National
Framework for Local Government Financial
Sustainability which were signed off by all
states and territories in 2007/08.
t can be challenging to envisage the
future more than a few years ahead, so it is
important to concentrate on general themes
and objectives rather than specifics when
preparing the Community Strategic Plan.
For example, a Plan might say “we want to
increase educational opportunities in our area”
rather than “we want a new TAFE college or
uni campus in a our town”.
This allows the community to consider a wide
range of options for a wider range of people
and encourages a more innovative approach.
The actual details of projects and programs to
support the community’s strategic objectives
will be spelled out in the council’s Delivery
Program and Operational Plans, or included
in any partnerships established with other
providers, such as state agencies.
The purpose of the Community Strategic Plan
is to provide a road map of what is important
to the community and where it wants to go.
What are social justice principles and how do they relate to the Community Strategic Plan?
The Community Strategic Plan must be based on the social justice principles of equity, access,
participation, and rights.
The NSW Government’s social justice
strategy is based on the following
interrelated principles:
• Equity – there should be fairness in decision
making, and prioritising and allocation of
resources, particularly for those in need.
Everyone should have a fair opportunity to
participate in the future of the community.
The planning process should take particular
care to involve and protect the interests of
people in vulnerable circumstances
• Access – all people should have fair access to services, resources and opportunities to improve their quality of life
• Participation – everyone should have
the maximum opportunity to genuinely
participate in decisions which affect
their lives
• Rights – equal rights should be established
and promoted, with opportunities provided
for people from diverse linguistic, cultural
and religious backgrounds to participate in
community life.
Councils must ensure that their Community
Strategic Plan reflects these four social justice
principles and that social considerations are
adequately addressed in the planning process.
What is the quadruple bottom line and how does it relate to the Community Strategic Plan?
Where can I learn more about the Community Strategic Plan and Integrated Planning and Reporting?
The NSW Office of Local Government has a webpage on Integrated Planning and Reporting. They have also issued Guidelines and a Manual on Integrated Planning and Reporting.
How can I participate?
Come along to one of our Community forums to discuss the future Community Strategic Plan. Forums will be held in Dorrigo, Bellingen and Urunga.