Case study 2 - Setting rates - Department of Local Government and Planning

Case study 2 - Setting rates

Councillor Brown owns a significant amount of property classed as rating category B in the local government area. He is at a council meeting where the next item of business on the agenda is the setting of new rating categories for council.

Councillor Brown has read the reports and noted that if the proposed change to rating category B goes ahead, the rates he pays each year will decrease significantly.

	Should Councillor Brown declare a material personal interest in the matter and leave the meeting?	Yes	No
Correct The setting of rates and charges is considered an ordinary business matter of council and it is not necessary for any councillor to declare a material personal interest. Section 172(1)(b) of the Act says the issue of a councillor’s material personal interest at a meeting applies only if the matter is not an ordinary business matter. Incorrect The correct answer is No. The setting of rates and charges is considered an ordinary business matter of council and it is not necessary for any councillor to declare a material personal interest. Section 172(1)(b) of the Act says the issue of a councillor’s material personal interest at a meeting applies only if the matter is not an ordinary business matter.

	If Councillor Brown’s rates would increase significantly, instead of decrease, should he declare a material personal interest in the matter and leave the meeting?	Yes	No
Correct Whether Councillor Brown’s rates would decrease or increase is not relevant. The setting of rates and charges is considered an ordinary business matter of council and it is not necessary for any councillor to declare a material personal interest. Section 172(1)(b) of the Act says the issue of a councillor’s material personal interest at a meeting applies only if the matter is not an ordinary business matter. Incorrect The correct answer is No. Whether Councillor Brown’s rates would decrease or increase is not relevant. The setting of rates and charges is considered an ordinary business matter of council and it is not necessary for any councillor to declare a material personal interest. Section 172(1)(b) of the Act says the issue of a councillor’s material personal interest at a meeting applies only if the matter is not an ordinary business matter.

Last Updated on Monday, 05 September 2011 17:10

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect