Council will debate the idea at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday.

A recommendation is being put to council that, continue to implement the currently adopted integrated strategy to support local business; place the draft local preference policy incorporating a 5% notional price offset, on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from May 24 to June 21, 2017; and, note that a further report will be tabled at the July 2017 meeting of council, detailing the submissions received from the public during the exhibition period.

Also on the agenda: council will formally acknowledge the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal have determined that council ‘may increase its general income in 2017-18 by 5.39%, including the rate peg of 1.5%; that the special variation can be retained in the council’s general income base permanently; and that the special variation is a continuation of the funding provided by the existing special variation which expires June 30, 2017, and that the variation is for maintaining and renewing council’s road network.

Cr Peter Alley has requested leave of absence for the period June 24 until July 26 which includes the July 19 ordinary council meeting.