Council under review

WOLLONGONG City Council is to participate in a statewide program during May designed to ensure Local Government agencies are operating in an effective and efficient way on behalf of their communities.

Council has been notified by the NSW Department of Local Government that Wollongong had been selected as a participant in the 'Promoting Better Practice' program, with a review team of three Department officers to visit Council from 22 May.

The program provides Departmental representatives with the opportunity to examine Council's processes and practices against State Government legislation, regulations and guidelines.

It also includes a review of each Council's framework for monitoring organisational performance and for strategic management practices. During the visit, Departmental officers will meet with Councillors and staff to discuss and inspect each process.

Council's Chief Executive Officer, Rod Oxley, said he welcomed the organisation's participation in the program as a way to reaffirm Council's business practices and to seek areas for improvement.

"We feel quite confident the outcome of our taking part in this program will be in the majority a confirmation that Council is going about working with the community in the appropriate manner," Mr Oxley added.

The Department commenced the 'Promoting Better Practice' program in late 2004 with a pilot review staged at Campbelltown City Council. Local Government agencies in all regions of the state have participated in the two years since.