Councillors have unanimously given their support to the CEO’s Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) [Council CEO reveals plan for urgent action on finances] and agreed to dedicating Council’s resources to its delivery, given future sustainability is the ultimate priority at this time.

“The SIP is a very strategic document that covers areas of improvement, not only financially but culturally, and not only immediately but in the long term sense," says Mayor Neil Reilly.

“It is a document that is living that will change and grow and shrink as time goes on.

“I am very pleased that all councillors support the initiatives and the methods employed to create improvement in our Council.

“I see the Council as an extension of the community, and with councillors’ support we will be able to stabilise Council and create a prosperous community.”

While Councillor Jodie Keast, a member of the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC), she congratulated the CEO and her team on the SIP, she expanded the original motion recommended by staff to make it transparent how decisions on the sale or retention of assets are being made by setting parameters and criteria (financial and non-financial).

She also requested that the FAC review and make comment on this framework, the performance of the cash flow contributions of the various business units and other actions detailed in the SIP.

“The FAC has members of our community who have expertise in law, governance, HR, finance, change management, project management and IT, and [there would be value in] having them review staff’s recommendations and advice regarding the SIP actions,” she said.

Permission was also given for the FAC to meet more frequently than every two months, given the urgency of their work.

Councillor Draisma added another element to the final motion, requiring Council include a dedicated page on its website to the SIP to maximise transparency.

“We need to be very clear to the public what is happening,” she said.

The tender for Council's Akuna St site, the first element of the disposal of assets, closes today.