The Mayor of Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, Michael Kent, today outlined the Council’s response to the Director of Local Government’s final report into the Council following an investigation into a number of complaints and operational concerns made earlier this year.
As a result of these complaints, the investigation looked at the governance and operational performance of Council. This was undertaken in conjunction with an independent audit of the Council’s financial practices, policies, and procedures.
The Director’s report has found that overall Glamorgan Spring Bay Council is facing similar problems and pressures that face many small rural councils across Tasmania and interstate. As the Director has stated in his report, increasing demands and expectations, greater compliance requirements and increased costs in a time of financial constraint, are all making the complex and difficult task of running a council that much more difficult than in the past.
The report states that from an operational perspective, the Council is performing reasonably well.
In his report, the Director, Mr Phillip Hoysted said “I was particularly impressed by the professionalism and commitment of Council staff and a willingness by elected members to address the governance issues confronting the Council.”
The report contains recommendations on four key areas where there are opportunities for improvement:
1. Conduct and agenda of Council meetings
2. Adherence to Council policies
3. Financial systems and processes
4. Human resource management
Mayor Kent said “I am very pleased to say that the report has not highlighted any serious issues of non-compliance but has provided us as a Council with a clear opportunity to make some improvements to how we operate and conduct Council business. The Council was consulted prior to the final report being released and welcomed the findings as a clear pathway forward for improvements in processes and practices to ensure Glamorgan Spring Bay Council continues to have a solid governance framework into the future. I would like to thank the staff and Councillors for their willingness to assist with the inquiry and the Director for his support and guidance throughout the process. This is a report that we as a Council accept and we are committed to implementing the measures and initiatives required to further strengthen our Council, so that we can better address the needs of the Glamorgan Spring Bay community.”
The Council has agreed to implement almost all of the Director’s recommendations. Some of those recommendations include:
1. The Mayor and General Manager meet with each councillor, and as a group, at least twice a year to discuss concerns and provide appropriate support where required.
2. The Mayor and General Manager explore options for restructuring the Council meeting agenda to ensure the focus of debate is on broad policy and strategic matters.
3. A schedule of Council policies, processes and delegations to be reviewed by the Council, be developed and implemented in a timely manner.
4. The Council’s Tendering and Contracts Policy is amended to facilitate the best outcome in selling Council property and assets.
5. Appoints a full-time senior financial officer to manage the financial affairs of the organization.
6. Conducts a review of the financial management processes and procedures for Council committees.
A full copy of the final report is available on the Council website at www.gsbc.tas.gov.au and will be available later this afternoon at www.dpac.tas.gov.au under the Local Government Division.
Mayor Michael Kent
