With the endorsement of the State of the Organisation report at the February Meeting, the CEO Jane Stroud has been given authority to implement a program of action to enhance its long term sustainability.

“Councillors have provided unanimous support to CEO Jane Stroud; she’s working hard with her management team now to prepare strategic improvement plans and implement changes,” says Mayor Neil Reilly.

“We are looking forward to tracking progress with monthly reporting.”

To this end, Council has announced the appointment of highly experienced local government accountant Elizabeth Alley as Chief Financial Officer.

“We have also appointed a new Governance Coordinator, a key recommendation of the recent Hopwood Report into Council’s risk and governance arrangements,” says Ms Stroud.

The independent review of Council’s risk and governance arrangements, conducted by leading expert Todd Hopwood of Wollongong Council, made 35 recommendations.

“I’m pleased to report, to date, 25 of those recommendations have already been actioned, including five listed for urgent action,” said Ms Stroud.

“Everything we are doing is about making sure Council stays sustainable so it can continue to deliver the services our community needs.”

Councillors hosting discussions about the Community Strategic Plan

Mayor Reilly is pleased with the progress made so far but cautions that hard work and tough choices remained.

“Sometimes we will have to make hard decisions.

“However, councillors have shown we will make those decisions, on behalf of our community, as long as they are informed choices.”

“Our Council has a long and proud history, and myself and my fellow councillors are doing everything we can to continue the good work of those staff and councillors who came before us.”

A visual summary of the ideas that came up in the Jamberoo workshop

Council has begun holding workshops as part of the consultation for the development of the ten year Community Strategic Plan, with councillors hosting tables to seek feedback on issues to do with the environment, finances, the services it provides and community values.

A survey is also being conducted on its website.