At the Draft Budget Briefing Session held on Monday, 2 May 2011, a brief discussion was held concerning the Council’s future financial commitment to the Local Heritage Fund and the Heritage Advisor Service.

The Council indicated that it would no longer fund the Local Heritage Fund as from the 2011/2012 financial year and reduce its funding for the Heritage Advisor Service owing to the Council’s current financial position.

Council also decided to abolish the Heritage Committee and refer any matters involving heritage issues to future Ordinary Meetings of the Council.

It should be noted that the Council will still retain the services of the Heritage Advisor on a reduced scale and on an “as required” basis for matters such as Development Application referrals and appointments made on behalf of community members who would like the Heritage Advisor’s input on a particular heritage matter.

Notwithstanding the loss of the Local Heritage Fund and the formal meeting of the Heritage Committee, staff are of the opinion that the heritage role of the Council will still be continued effectively with future decisions now being made by the Council as a whole.