Kiama Council has made significant progress on new governance arrangements following last year’s independent review.
CEO Jane Stroud has thanked Todd Hopwood, Governance and Customer Service Manager at Wollongong City Council, for his review of Council’s governance policies, processes, resources and personnel.
“The departure of several senior staff in a relatively short amount of time has left Council with some critical resource gaps,” Ms Stroud said.
“There is a lack of sufficient knowledge of local government requirements, particularly in the governance area of council.”
“This comprehensive review not only helps identify recruitment priorities to fill those gaps, but underlying policy and process changes as well.”
Mr Hopwood made 35 recommendations in his report which was provided to our Audit Risk and Improvement Committee, with 7 of those recommendations requiring immediate action.
An update provided to councillors at their meeting this week shows 25 of the recommendations have either been implemented, or are being implemented.
Importantly, 5 out of the 7 recommendations listed for immediate action have been implemented or are being implemented.
Ms Stroud said the update showed much had been achieved in the short amount of time since the report was provided.
“Our Executive Leadership Team has been working through an audit and action plan to resolve the issues raised.”
“We have also been working closely with our new councillors so they understand and can focus on the issues raised, as our elected community representatives,” Ms Stroud said.
Key outcomes so far include:
- Appointment of a Governance Coordinator
- Recruitment for a Corporate Planner
- Establishment of a People & Performance Manager role
- Appointment of an Internal Auditor
- Policy development framework with clear principles, approval mechanisms and review requirements
- Councillor induction and professional development program
Ms Stroud said progress of the audit and action plan was being reported to Council’s new Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC).
Council established ARIC in 2021 to provide independent assurance and assistance on risk management, control framework, external accountability, legislative compliance, internal audit, external audit and process improvement responsibilities.
The ARIC membership consists of two councillors and three independent external members together with two non-voting members: Council’s Chief Executive Officer and Internal Auditor.
Council last week appointed former NSW Deputy Auditor General Jim Mitchell to ARIC.
