FNDC Annual Report Earns High Praise

High praise has been given the Far North District Council’s Annual Report and Finance and Treasury Manager Janice Smith who was responsible for the document.

Audit New Zealand Director John Scott told the council its reporting was smooth and new reporting requirements for statements of service performance and performance reporting, and a focus on the future, had been embraced easily and well.

“This is a very good document, worthy of entry into a SOLGM (Society of Local Government Managers) competition to find the best annual repot in the country,” he said.

“There has been a whole lot of improvement in consents processing, water and wastewater is being run more efficiently, there are no Mayoral issues of concern and the Far North Holdings audit was much smoother this year.

“Positive results have been achieved despite challenges including the drought, New Zealand Transport Agency cutbacks, utilities increases as well as recoveries and expenditures associated with rural fires.

“Performance reporting gets a big tick as well and I can issue an unqualified opinion on this document,” he added.

Further praise for the council’s finance team came from Mayor Wayne Brown and Audit and Finance committee chair Di Maxwell.

Ms Smith acknowledged the assistance of Performance Management Coordinator Kim Gilman and the rest of her team. “This was very much a team effort and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this result,” she said.