Auditor criticises CODC, adds $60,000 charge

The Central Otago District Council has received a second rap over the knuckles from Audit New Zealand as well as a bill for an extra $60,000.

The council approved its long-term council community plan (LTCCP) at its meeting on Wednesday, despite an adverse opinion from Audit New Zealand.

Deputy mayor Tony Lepper, chairing the meeting in the absence of Mayor Malcolm Macpherson, said the two organisations had "agreed to disagree" on the matter.

Audit associate director John Mackey told the council in May that its draft plan gave insufficient detail on the framework for assessing the council's performance.

The council has adopted a "systems thinking" approach to its operations, aimed at improving customer service, lowering costs and improving staff morale.

Mr Mackey's report, tabled this week, said the council's LTCCP did not provide a reasonable basis for long-term integrated decision-making and for the public participation.

Because of the extra audit work, Audit NZ had charged the council a further $60,000 on top of the $58,000 audit fee.

The council's corporate services manager, Heather Kinsey, said the council had declined to pay $60,000 and instead agreed to pay $15,000 extra.

 

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