Central Darling Shire, Oberon and Lithgow City Councils put on notice
Friday 11 November, 2016
Lithgow City, Oberon and Central Darling Shire councils have today been issued with a notice of intention to issue a Performance Improvement Order following their failure to lodge their audited financial reports on time.
Under the Local Government Act and the Local Government Code of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting, every council in NSW is required to prepare and lodge their audited financial reports with the Office of Local Government within a period of four months after the end of the financial year.
Office of Local Government Chief Executive, Tim Hurst, said the disclosure of a council’s financial reports is a crucial way in which it remains accountable to its ratepayers.
“The timelines for financial reporting under the Act are not optional; they are mandatory obligations,” Mr Hurst said.
“Every council in NSW must adhere to these obligations and every council in NSW is given ample time to return their financial reports.
“The reports provide vital information to councillors and the local community about the progress of the council’s implementation of the key activities it has committed to, as well as its audited financial reports, in order for the councils to remain accountable to its ratepayers.
“It is vital they are submitted on time.”
Mr Hurst said that due to the failure of Lithgow City, Oberon and Central Darling Shire councils to lodge their audited financial reports on time they have been issued with a notice of intention to issue a Performance Improvement Order by the Minister for Local Government.
“The failure by the councils to prepare audited financial reports suggests that they are not functioning effectively,” Mr Hurst said.
“If a Performance Improvement Order is issued it will detail what action needs to be taken by them to fix their financial reporting failures.”
The councils will have 14 days to respond to the notice of intention to issue a Performance Improvement Order before a final decision to issue the Order is made.
MEDIA: Jeremy Scott – 0400 455 067
| PDF Version: | Media Release 11 November, 2016 |