2015-08-18 Planning and Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                18 AUGUST 2015


   Finalisation of the financial separation from SCRC
     As Council will recall, we did not get the result that we believe reflected the agreed
     transfer methodology. Following the finalisation of the cash split dispute, we had a
     QTC assessment undertaken which showed Noosa Council in a Sound position. All
     aspects of the separation from SCRC are complete other than the finalisation of
     certain policies or agreements that transferred across but have not been converted to
     a Noosa Council format (e.g. SCRC Certified Agreement 2011 which is awaiting
     finalisation of new local government awards).
   Establishment of Audit structures
     An Audit Committee was established in 2014/15 with two external members (appointed
     following an advertising process). Expressions of Interest were also called for an
     internal audit function and an appointment made. An internal audit was undertaken of
     the payroll function. The Council received an unqualified audit from the Queensland
     Audit office for its financial statements and during that external audit process, no major
     issues of concern were raised by the QAO.
   Establishment of Enterprise Risk Management
     A program commenced to introduce risk management practices into Council
     operations. An Enterprise Risk Management Policy and Framework was adopted by
     Council and risk registers established. The Leadership Team began to review the
     strategic risk register on a quarterly basis and operational risk registers are being
     established at a Departmental level. Not yet complete is a comprehensive Business
     Continuity Plan. This is a priority for the coming year.
   Disaster Management
     A new Noosa Disaster Management Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan has been
     developed in the last 12 months and adopted by Council. Our disaster preparedness
     was tested early in 2015 with a minor flooding event. Fortunately, we were spared
     major flooding compared to Moreton Bay Regional Council and our systems and
     processes worked well for that scale of event. We have more to do in training for our
     staff to ensure that we are ready for the next disaster event.
   Workplace Health and Safety
     At the request of the CEO, an audit of our WH&S compliance was undertaken in
     2014/15. Although we received the highest score of the four de-amalgamated
     Councils, we are a long way off being at an acceptable standard in terms of our WH&S
     compliance. This will need to be a major focus of management in 2015/16.
   Noosa North Shore
     The Council negotiated leases and permits for low scale use of the North Shore
     Landing Ground by the Model Flyers and the Sunshine Coast Sport Aviators. Council
     also supported the National Heritage listing for the North Shore area and is examining
     tenure options for the North Shore (including the camp ground).
   KPI Reporting
     Management developed a range of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which assist in
     managing the organisation. About 30 detailed KPIs were developed and these are
     reviewed monthly by the Leadership Team. 10 to 12 KPIs are reported to Council on a
     quarterly basis. This was a new initiative for 2014/15 and will be enhanced in the
     2015/16 year. There is an opportunity to develop a range of community indicators in
     2015/16.
   Dog Inspection Program
     A door to door inspection program was undertaken to check on dog registrations. This
     went smoothly and approximately 1,785 additional dogs are now registered.




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