Here is my Notice of Motion that I have lodged for the Ordinary Council Meeting on 18th May 2020:

Discussion – Local Procurement

During the COVID-19 pandemic a lot of local businesses in Lane Cove have experienced a reduction in trading hours and revenue.

Lane Cove Council would be one of the largest organisations in the area that procures services and goods from several businesses.

Although the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) and the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW) prohibit exclusive dealings based on a geographic area, there is no prohibition on Council to proactively approach a local business or businesses situated in the Lane Cove LGA to invite them to make a proposal or quotation for the provision of goods or services.

Under this policy, it is envisaged that when Council is seeking to purchase goods or services over the value of $5,000 (Which is the threshold of Council’s current Procurement Policy where more than one quotation is required), it would be a requirement that at least one business situated in the Lane Cove LGA is invited to provide a proposal or quotation for goods or services. If no such business is situated in the Lane Cove LGA, the policy would not apply.

This is a positive and proactive way that Lane Cove Council can support local businesses and employment in the Lane Cove LGA.

Discussion – Supporting Apprentices

Lane Cove Council under its Major Projects Plan and various other plans anticipates the construction of several new facilities and capital works projects within the LGA.

An example of this list includes:

• Proposed Lane Cove Sporting and Recreation Precinct.
• Upgrade of Bob Campbell Oval
• Upgrade of the Council Civic Centre
• St Leonards Over-Rail Plaza

The Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business publishes a series of reports looking as skill shortages in NSW. This report has identified the below issues in the construction and engineering occupation and profession.

Source: https://docs.employment.gov.au/collections/new-south-wales-occupational-cluster-reports

Between September 2013 and March 2019, the number of apprentices and trainees in Australia fell by more than 30 per cent, according to data from the Department for Education, Skills and Employment.

The Australian Government Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business has identified a list of occupations that require more apprentices. This list includes:

• Carpenters and Joiners
• Plasterers
• Plumbers
• Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics
• Wall and Floor Tilers
• Bricklayers and Stonemasons
• Arborists

Lane Cove Council can play an active roll in supporting the training and skills development of occupations particularly in the construction industry by including a component in Council’s tender assessment policy for tenderers to hire and train apprentices on Council projects.

SOURCES:

https://docs.employment.gov.au/collections/new-south-wales-occupational-cluster-reports

https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/02/28/decline-apprenticeships/

https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/other-industries/stark-drop-in-apprenticeships-is-leading-to-a-national-skills-shortage/news-story/9e9085341b733972849c8015e0f8ad1f

https://docs.employment.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/review_of_national_skills_needs_list_-_issues_paper.pdf

Motion on Notice:

That CouncilInclude in Ref 24.6 of the Draft Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2020/2021 currently open for public consultation that:

1. Councils procurement processes for expenditure items over $5,000 engage at least one local business situated in the Lane Cove LGA (if present) to have the opportunity to propose and quote for services to Council before a procurement decision is finalised.

2. Include a requirement with appropriate weighting for tenders over $1million in value to hire apprentices in the delivery of the tendered project where a relevant TAFE program or vocational education program exists.