Promoting Better Practice

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council considered a report on Promoting Better Practice at the 18 April 2006 Council meeting. The report follows a review of Council's operations from the Department of Local Government, conducted in November 2005 as part of a statewide process, designed to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of local government.

The Promoting Better Practice Program aims to provide Councils with a way to identify and share innovation and good practices in local government as well as provide early intervention support for those Councils who may be experiencing operating problems.

The report on Port Macquarie-Hastings Council provided by the Department outlined 31 recommendations for Council's consideration. The recommendations were primarily in the areas of strategic planning and governance. Specific suggestions were made on including more long-term planning details in the Corporate Plan and Annual Report, reviewing the complaints procedure and reviewing administrative processes.

In reviewing the report Council undertook to continue working with staff to develop an action plan that would address these recommendations. The plan has been forwarded to the Department and has been jointly monitored by both parties.

The Action Plan has been recently reviewed and updated by the Executive Group and a copy of the plan is attached for Council's consideration. All matters contained in the Action Plan have now been addressed. Of the 31 original recommendations, 28 have been finalised, two are ongoing and one is in progress. The Department of Local Government has indicated that they are keen to finalise this review and the information provided by Council in the May 2008 Action Plan will enable them to do so.

A copy of the Department of Local Government Promoting Better Practice Review Report is provided below.