2017-07-17 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                   17 JULY 2017


 Council adopted an Asset Management Plan Roadmap in 2016/17. The roadmap sets out the
   priorities for developing more robust long-term asset management plans and ensuring that
   asset management becomes more central to our decision making processes. Converting this
   roadmap into action is also one of the challenges for 2017/18.


Corporate Plan Theme 5: Excellence as a Council
“The Noosa Shire community is proud of its Council”

Key achievements as we work towards our long term goal include:
 Although our end of year financial statements have not yet been finalised, it is clear that we
   have had another successful financial year. Revenues were above budget, expenses were
   below budget, debt levels are lower than at the beginning of the financial year and cash
   reserves are higher than at the beginning of the financial year. At the end of 2016/17, Council
   adopted its budget for the 2017/18 financial year with a 2% general rate increase.
 Council has successfully achieved another unmodified audit from the Queensland Audit
   Office with the 2015/16 financial statements being signed off by the QAO in late 2016.
 Behind the scenes, the Audit and Risk Committee has continued to add value to our
   compliance and performance for governance and finance. This has included an oversight of
   our strategic risks, review of key governance and financial policies, review of organisational
   KPI’s, development of Business Continuity Planning etc. Our two external members of the
   Audit and Risk Committee in particular have added significantly to our overall governance
   practices. Although not high profile, this Committee plays an important role in making sure
   that Council “dots the i’s and crosses the t’s” both in governance and in the management of
   risk. Council’s Internal Audit Program included internal audits on Procurement and Council
   investments.
 Council commenced a review of our organisational structure at the end of 2016 with the new
   structure being adopted in March 2017. Following considerable internal consultation, the
   Planning and Infrastructure Department was split in two with a new Environment and
   Sustainable Development Department and a new Infrastructure Services Department being
   created. Also during 2016/17, Council added additional staff resources to our Infrastructure
   Design and Delivery Branch and Asset Management Branch to enable them to deliver
   expected outcomes.
 Our enterprise risk management has been further developed with risk management practices
   being further embedded into Council operations. Council was recognised by Local
   Government Mutual for our risk management practices. The Leadership Team reviews
   strategic risks on a quarterly basis and operational risk registers have been established at a
   Departmental level. Our comprehensive Business Continuity Plans are all but complete and
   will be tested in early 2017/18.
 Our Noosa Aquatic Centre, Noosa Leisure Centre and The J all had outstanding years. The
   Noosa Leisure Centre had its highest ever annual attendance, The J had its highest ever
   revenue and the Noosa Aquatic Centre had its strongest ever financial performance. Reports
   will be provided to Council in due course in relation to the annual performance of our
   community facilities.
 Council has recently undertaken its first external customer service survey. The survey was
   undertaken by Market Facts to enable us to benchmark with other Queensland local
   governments (LGAQ also use this firm to undertake state wide customer service surveys). A
   report will be provided separately to Council in relation to this matter but our benchmark
   scores are above state averages.




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