Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins has noted efforts to deal with issues within the Central Goldfields Shire Council raised in a report by municipal monitor Bill Jaboor.

Ms Hutchins has written to the Council this week acknowledging its work to address its governance issues and begin an organisational restructure.

The municipal monitor was appointed to Central Goldfields Shire Council in October and reviewed Council’s  policies, procedures, minutes, website and other documents as well as interviewed staff and Councillors.

His appointment covered the time surrounding the election and concluded once the new council had been elected.

The Monitor’s  report identified the need for Central Goldfields to improve on a range of areas, including:

• Organisational restructure
• Culture
• Policy and Procedures
• Property Management
• Councillor Workshops
• Confidential Council meeting arrangements

Mr Jaboor’s report found a staff restructure was required to address the need for more checks and balances across the organisation in areas such as finance and procurement.

The monitor’s report is available at: www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins

“Central Goldfields Shire Council has begun a restructure and is working on ways to create more checks and balances.”

“I expect that the newly elected Council will work hard to represent their local community and ensure important services are efficiently delivered.”