Council has formally appointed three independent members to its inaugural Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee to oversee all Council’s operations, including compliance, financial management and governance.
Mr Colin Gellatly AO, Mr John Gordon and Mr Carl Millington, have been appointed after responding to an Expression of Interest process to join the Committee.
Council Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, said the Committee would help provide a foundation for sound decision making in Council, and a vehicle to help deliver improvements in how Council delivers services to the community.
“We had over 50 applications for membership of this Committee, and the quality of the applicants was very good.
“These three people really stood out,” Mr Reynolds said.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to appoint such highly skilled and widely respected community members to this Committee.”
Dr Colin Gellatly has had a long and distinguished career in the public service, including as Director General of the Premiers Department.
He also has extensive experience in local government, most recently as the Chair of Newcastle City Council’s Audit and Risk Committee.
Dr Gellatly has also been appointed Chair of the Committee.
Mr John Gordon has spent the last 40 years practising as a Chartered Accountant, Certified Practising Accountant and Chartered Secretary, specialising in audit, risk management and corporate governance.
Mr Carl Milligan is a senior audit and assurance partner in a Charted Accounting firm in Sydney and has held a number of senior roles on the Local Government Auditors’ Association of NSW.
“Their extensive experience in local government and financial matters will hold the new committee in good stead, and I look forward to working with them to deliver positive results for Council and the community,” Mr Reynolds added.
Administrator, Ian Reynolds, and CEO, Rob Noble, will make up the two other positions on the Committee until the election of the new Council in September.
According to the Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Mr Scot MacDonald, “Having Dr Col Gellatly chair Central Coast Council’s audit committee is a smart move.
“Dr Gellatly has had extensive experience in the public sector at the highest levels.
“The new Council’s financial systems and obligations are large and complex.
“Having a diligent Audit and Risk committee is critical to governance.
“Administrative processes and security can always be improved, and it is wise to have effective oversight looking for flaws and misuse of tax payers assets.”
Source:
Media release, Apr 26
Ian Reynolds, Central Coast Council
Media statement, May 1
Kit Hale, office of Scot MacDonald