Glen Innes Severn Council has called an Extraordinary Council Meeting to consider its response to the NSW Government’s proposed Performance Improvement Order (PIO).
The proposed Order relates to a number of financial management, reporting, audit and governance matters that have affected Council since 2022, when a failed financial management system was implemented.
The Council has received a Notice of Intention from NSW Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, together with a draft Performance Improvement Order, and has been invited to make a submission before a final decision is made.
The business paper for Thursday’s Extraordinary Council Meeting has been released to Councillors and the community this morning.
The submission to be considered by Council will outline the significant strategic decisions of Council and the progress made over the last two years including replacement of the financial management system introduced in 2022, commencement of the first stage of the Civica business platform implementation, application and approval of Council’s Special Rate Variation, adoption of an improved revised Long Term Financial Plan and the ongoing work to strengthen financial sustainability, governance, cash management and organisational performance.
The Council is also scheduled to meet with the Office of Local Government today to seek further clarification on the proposed Order and the information OLG expects Council to address in its response.
Following that meeting, the Council says officers will finalise a draft response, which will be provided as a late annexure for consideration by Councillors on Thursday.
Mayor, Margot Davis said the purpose of the meeting was for the elected Council to consider the proposed Order and determine Council’s formal response.
“Councillors will consider the matters raised by the Minister, the requirements contained in the proposed Order, the information provided by OLG and the officers’ draft response before determining Council’s position,” Mayor Davis said.
“Council is committed to transparency and to ensuring our response is based on clear factual evidence. We remain focused on improving our long-term financial sustainability, moving out of the historic disclaimer-of-opinion position, and being accountable to the Office of Local Government in its role as Council’s regulatory oversight body.”
