Council clears up the roles and responsibilities of CCOs

Auckland Council has clarified the roles and responsibilities of its council controlled organisations (CCOs) so that they must act in the best interests of the public and make best use of public money.

“Council’s CCOs are vital to achieving Auckland’s vision, so how we work together is absolutely critical,” says Mayor Len Brown.

“We’ve been refining this relationship for a year now and it was time to formalise and strengthen how we make it work.”

The principles of leadership, empowerment, accountability, transparency, trust and a public service ethos are the basis of a good governance relationship.

Mr Brown says this move will empower its CCOs to better meet the objectives council has set for them.

“It also signals that their decisions must be in the public interest and that for the most part it is public money is being used and it is the people of Auckland who hold us accountable for that.”

Also being introduced are:

• Decision making guidelines to clarify when decisions are made by a CCO board or shareholders
• A clarified purpose for each CCO
• Funding principles.

Council is also reviewing the board appointment and remuneration policy with a view to increasing the diversity on the boards.

CCOs have worked alongside council to develop these guidelines.

A full copy of the report considered by council can be found via this link.