Cutting costs and working smarter delivers positive result

Cost savings and greater efficiencies in the 2009/10 financial year have helped Environment Waikato achieve a favourable year-end result.

The regional council today adopted its Annual Report detailing the positive financial and service performance for the year ending 30 June 2010.

“We’ve delivered a good result by achieving greater efficiencies and cost savings across all our activities” said chairman Peter Buckley.

The Annual Report shows the council substantially achieved its performance targets and delivered a $2.255 million operating surplus, which after budget adjustments, resulted in a net surplus of $497,000 to be carried forward to the 2010/11 financial year.

Key contributors to the favourable result include lower than budgeted costs for the upcoming local government election, subcommittee meeting attendances, statutory reporting processes, travel and accommodation costs, staff training, legal advice and consent appeals. Staff vacancies, deferred appointments and delays in letting contracts also contributed to the favourable position.

The council achieved or exceeded 72 per cent of its service performance targets, with 9 per cent being achieved in part. External factors outside Environment Waikato’s control, such as having to wait on the outcome of environment court decisions and changes in central government policy were key reasons for targets not being met.