A well-developed service catalogue allows Council to make informed decisions on desired service levels. Once these levels are agreed, staff can be provided with the tools and resources to deliver the desired services, and performance can be measured against clear targets.

Internal Audits provide valuable insights and recommendations that can help organisations improve efficiency. Internal Audits are also essential for risk management, as identifying non-compliance early can prevent further issues and facilitate more robust systems to be implemented.

This webinar explored the key factors contributing to council carbon emissions, reviewed assessment methodologies and formulas, and discussed the necessary data for accurate analysis. It also delved into the benefits of conducting a carbon emissions analysis including opportunities for effective reduction.

The increased workload associated with managing these infrastructure, maintenance or planning projects can strain Council resources, leading to potential risks such as project failure, exceeding budget limits, and misallocation of Council expenses. Whether handled internally or through outsourcing, it is crucial to address two key elements.

Corporate plans are nothing new. The five-year plan drives policy and strategic documents, including the yearly operational plan. Beyond mere compliance, however, lies the pivotal opportunity to develop comprehensive and well-informed plans to steer the community into the future

At the end of October, Scott travelled to Cherbourg for another committee meeting. The trip coincided with the two-week project to rejuvenate the Bert Button Lookout, Ration Shed Museum and the Cherbourg rugby league club. It was great to see work the community and volunteers have been doing and their dedication to the preservation of these sites.

Understanding what services are delivered by Council and to what level are critical elements in managing for sustainability. The first step in effectively managing service delivery is to establish a list of activities/functions Council currently carries out. This is known as a service catalogue.

The four-day work week has been a strongly debated topic for a few years now. There are definitely potential advantages to implementing this practice, as in an appropriate work environment, compressed work arrangements provide an opportunity for enhanced productivity and operational performance; it’s popular with employees and offers cost saving measures for employers and employees. However, a four-day work week does have inherent risks to productivity if management, supervision and planning are...

Reducing carbon emissions has re-emerged as a key driver for decision making in the business sector in recent times. Council’s corporate emissions certainly fall into this category. But what is the value for Council in understanding its carbon footprint and is there opportunity for costs savings and increased revenue that Councils can exploit?