Finances still under spotlight

FINANCIAL management by the City of Casey has remained under attack despite two reports that the council’s financial management is transparent and accountable.
The Casey Audit and Ethics Committee’s (AE) annual report has praised council operations.
The audit committee said the community could be assured that the daytoday affairs of local government in Casey were being carried out with diligence and in accordance with relevant laws, regulations and sound business practice.
Edrington Ward councillor Mick Morland said: “The Audit and Ethics Committee report reinforces the dedication and professionalism of our staff members, who deliver dozens of services to the community every day.”
However, Mayfield Ward councillor Steve Beardon said several councillors supported his view that it would be beneficial for Casey to look at an independent performance review to examine the operations of the organisation without interference or influence from the chief executive.
He said past performance needed to be reviewed before looking at future improvements in service delivery.
“Good governance dictates that efficiency be our goal in cost effective delivery of services to our residents.
“I am very interested to learn why councillors choose not to collectively review the operating budget with officers and question why capital works only appear to be the main focus of councillors,” he said.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Paul Richardson, who is also a member of the AE committee, said from what he had seen it appeared that at this stage that everything was okay. “The figures appear to be transparent and accountable but no one knows what will happen in the future.”
He said, however, that there were attempts to maintain the view that everything was okay, but there was a need to keep the council in check to insure that it was.
He said it was good to have an internal and external auditor but he said an independent auditor should also be used to check the council accounts.
Cr Morland said he supported Mr Tyler’s view.
“I have always believed the council’s accounting was transparent.”
“Cr Beardon and Cr Richardson just can’t keep bagging us forever on this issue,” he said.
In his report, AE committee chairman Robert Ward said that while most reports identified areas for improvement, some of them significant and important, they also revealed a culture with the Casey Council of openness and a determination to achieve and even exceed best practice in almost every field.
“Where need for changes were made clear, management responded positively to the suggestions made in reports and progress towards implementation of the changes has been satisfactory,” he said.