Adopted by Council: 7 February 2011      

Policy Goals

This policy sets out the basis and method of rating of social clubs within Latrobe City. The Policy is designed to provide a fair and equitable basis of determining the level of rates to be charged to social clubs and sporting clubs within the municipality. For the purpose of this Policy, a Social Club is defined as a gathering of a group of people with a common social interest, which in turn provides a benefit to those members. A Sporting Club to be included in this Policy is one that has social facilities that are ancillary to the Club’s primary operations of providing sporting and recreational facilities.

Policy Implementation

1. General Considerations  
   The Council has a standard application form for all submissions which is used as a basis for determining eligibility and the amount of rate relief that is applicable according to set procedures and other criteria developed by the Council. For specific or special reasons the Council may wish to exclude certain property in the municipality that would otherwise fall within the scope of this policy.    
2. Method of Determining the Rate Rebate  
   The following rating criteria shall apply to all other social and sporting clubs within Latrobe City:  -  
   1. A fixed charge of twenty per centum (20%) of an amount equal to the total amount that would have been due or paid to the Council if the property had been levied a rate equal to the General Rate applying from time to time plus  
   2. An amount equal to a percentage of the remaining eighty per centum (80%) of the total amount of the rate that would have been charged if no rebate had been applicable, based on the points score rating criteria table set out as follows -    

      Each criteria identified in the table above is to be assessed. The score achieved determines the amount of rate rebate to be applied.          

      1. A Club with a score of 10 or more will receive a rebate of 100% of the 80% balance of the rate that would have applied.
      2. A score 7-9 (inclusive) provides for a rebate of 50% of the 80% balance of the rate that would have applied.
      3. A score of 4-6 (inclusive) provides for a rebate of 25% of the 80% balance of the rate that would have applied.
      4. A score of 3 or less provides for no rebate.    
3. Annual Reporting Internally  
   The General Manager Governance is responsible for providing a summary list of all properties falling within the application of this policy to Council each year during the preparation of the Annual Budget process. This will enable the Council to identify the actual rate to be charged and the amount of rebate applied so that the matter can be formally resolved and included within the Budget outcomes.    
4. New or Additional Applications   The General Manager Governance shall be the responsible officer for preparing reports and recommendations to Council on any new application received during the year which is the subject of consideration in respect to this policy.    
5. Reporting Externally  
   Details of social clubs treated under this policy shall be identified separately in the annual accounts.                        

This policy has been reviewed after giving proper consideration to all the rights contained within the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006; and any reasonable limitation to human rights can be demonstrably justified.