Governance and Culture Improvements in West Wimmera

In September 2018 West Wimmera Shire Council participated in an examination by the Local Government Inspectorate (LGI) to ensure the Council’s governance arrangements met the expectations of the community and the legislated framework. The Local Government Inspectorate lodged a report on 24 January 2019 detailing the results of West Wimmera Shire Council’s Governance Review.

As the integrity agency for local government in Victoria, the Local Government Inspectorate conducted the examination, consulting with elected Councillors and Council administration officers as part of the inspection.  The investigation report came with recommendations on ways to improve managing various government functions within Council including:

• Governance Arrangements
• Specific Allegations
• Asset Management
• Financial Management
• Human Resource Management

In returning to Council in June 2022, the Local Government Inspectorate were pleased that general governance improvements had been implemented and that 38 out of 40 recommendations had been completed.

Council demonstrated that it has directed resources into its most valuable assets, its staff and its systems. Staff training had an increased focus, and the introduction of Reliansys, a compliance management tool, has significantly improved efficiency and accountability across the organisation. Records Management capability, previously a major area of concern, has also improved through the implementation of a cloud-based system.

The key area of Councillor and staff interaction practices have improved, through updates to the Councillor and staff codes of conduct as required by legislation, along with the implementation of a stand-alone Councillor and Staff Interaction policy that adequately reinforces the need for Councillors not to overstep set boundaries.

Conflict of Interest practices have been enhanced through the engagement of industry specialists; land sales and leasing practises have improved; and while procurement improvement practices continue to be a work in progress, the transition from manual paper-based processes to a fully automated system through eProcure will further enhance capability and accountability.

In discussions with staff, a positive cultural change was noted with staff expressing they were more empowered than was the case under previous regimes.

Council will continue to monitor and ensure compliance as well as ensuring a positive workplace for its staff and Councillors.

 

To read more on the West Wimmera Governance Review click here: 

Governance and culture improvements at West Wimmera Shire Council | lgi.vic.gov.au