DCC departments under review

The Dunedin City Council has hired an independent financial consultant to review activities in its vehicle fleet and parking departments.

The information came after the Otago Daily Times asked whether the council had instigated a formal review of the departments.

That query followed speculation there were concerns regarding financial issues within them.

Council chief executive Dr Sue Bidrose said a review was being done ''as part of a wider review of key accounting practices within the organisation''.

''The wider internal review was initiated last year and covers areas such as a review of the risk management framework, the development of a contracts register, asset disposal and changes to tender processes that provide more transparency.''

The review was just beginning and it would be ''inappropriate to release further details at this stage''.

Once the review was concluded, Dr Bidrose said she would determine what, if any, action was required.

A council spokesman said Deloitte had been hired to provide ''independent eyes'' on the departments.

There were no details yet about a possible time frame.

The spokesman confirmed Brent Bachop, who died suddenly on May 21, had been team leader of Citipark and Citifleet, the council units that oversaw the city's vehicle fleet and its parking operations.

Dunedin police said Mr Bachop's death was referred to the coroner.

Citipark manages three car park buildings and all council on-street and off-street car parks, including parking meters and payment machines.

It has a listed income in the council annual plan for this financial year of more than $3 million.

Citifleet owns and runs the council's vehicle fleet.

david.loughrey@odt.co.nz

 

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