Managing the council's finances

The Palmerston North City Council has a new Chief Financial Officer.


Grant Elliott, who is currently Manager of Financial Services with Hurunui District Council, will take up the position in February 2008.


Grant, who is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Canterbury, has had experience in big and small local authorities, both urban and rural.


He has held his present position with the Hurunui District Council for 13 years and, before that, was Manager – Finance and Administration with the Selwyn District Council and Chief Accountant with the Wellington Regional Council.


Grant is currently responsible for the development and implementation of all financial policies, control of the total accounting function, management of the Information Technology Department and Hurunui District Council’s overall administration.


CEO of Palmerston North City Council, Paddy Clifford, says Grant is a lateral thinker and has developed a culture of continuous improvement in his area of work. He has extensive experience of working with elected members and community groups.


Grant Elliott was appointed following a rigorous selection process administered by Sterling Human Resources in Palmerston North and involving a City Council selection panel.


Grant, who is married with two children, is looking forward to the challenge of the CFO’s position at the City Council.


He emphasises the importance of being a responsible steward of ratepayers’ money and is conscious that an essential component of the position is to benefit both the Council and the community.