REPORTING
LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE REPORTING FRAMEWORK
The Victorian Government is currently working with councils to develop a performance reporting framework to replace the Best Value framework. The new framework will ensure that all councils are measuring and reporting on their performance in a consistent way. Horsham Rural City Council is one of 43 councils participating in the pilot program and will work closely with Local Government Victoria (LGV) to trial the draft indicators of the proposed framework.
The Local Government Performance Reporting Framework (LGPRF) will be delivered by LGV during the 2013-2014 financial year in close collaboration with the sector. The LGPRF will then become mandatory for implementation by councils as part of the planning and reporting cycle for the 2014-2015 financial year.
The primary objective of the LGPRF is to provide comprehensive performance information that meets the needs of stakeholders. Indicators have been developed across three thematic areas: service performance, financial performance and sustainability.
A comprehensive range of service areas were initially considered and eventually the list was refined to 14 common Local Government services.
Governance
Economic Development Libraries Pools
Street Sweeping Animal Management
Statutory Planning Roads
Waste Collection Sport Grounds Food Safety
Immunisation Home and Community Care Maternal and Child Health
Horsham Rural City Council can also voluntarily develop indicators surrounding further service areas.
Council looks forward to continuing work on the pilot program and being at the forefront of a new Local Government initiative.
REVIEWS
Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Step Records/ Enterprise Content Management Program
Horsham Rural City Council has continued to participate in the Steps Records/Enterprise Content Management Program, a benchmarking activity against a number of other Councils in Victoria. An action plan is being developed and improvement processes will be put in place during the year ahead.
36 ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - 2013
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Council’s Audit Committee is an advisory committee that operates under the legislation of Section 139 of the Local Government Act 1989. It’s purpose is to:
maintain an efficient and effective audit process;
ensure that risks (both financial and organisational) are adequately identified and managed; and
ensure that effective controls are put in place to mitigate those risks.
The Audit Committee has a responsibility to review significant accounting and reporting issues, and to monitor organisational process and practices ensuring business continuity.
A comprehensive annual review and assessment of the Audit Committee Charter was completed this year, and an Audit Committee Annual Plan established, to provide guidance to the committee on specific tasks and quarterly obligations.
Membership: The Audit Committee comprises of two Councillors – Cr David Grimble and Cr Sue Exell, three independent community representatives – Geoff Price (Chair), Robin Webb, and Roy Henwood, and ex-officio members – the Chief Executive, Director Corporate Services, Finance Manager, Risk Management Co-ordinator and the Internal Auditor (contractor – Crowe Horwath). The Auditor General’s agent also attends meetings to report any matters of significance in relation to the Financial Statements.
Self Assessment Survey: The Audit Committee undertook an inaugural annual self-assessment of its performance against the committee’s Charter, with a questionnaire relating to the 2011-2012 financial year. This will be implemented again in the coming year and benchmarked against the previous findings.
Internal Audits: Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve the operations of Council. During the past year, the following internal audits were conducted:
Payroll
Follow Up Review of Prior Audit Recommendations Occupational Health and Safety Practices and
Procedures
Following each of these scheduled audits, recommendations were provided with implementation actions assigned to key staff members. These actions are then monitored through the Audit Committee and the Interplan reporting framework that is used by Council.
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