Projects worked on

I have done a number of reviews in my six years consulting from big to small teams.

In January 2016, I  reviewed the finance team at Ruapehu District Council.  They had failed to complete Annual Reports of time for 4 of the last 6 years.

Following the review I assisted in the recruitment of a new accounting team and have been mentoring them through the Annual Report process.  Two years on they are not only meeting statutory timeframes but are now investing in business process improvements that will see the Finance Team adding value to the organisation.

 

I presented across the country at the SOLGM LTP Seminars for the 2015/25  and 2018/28 LTP’s.

I regular preset at SOLGMs Finance Seminars and Rating Forum.

I am worked with Hamilton City and Waipa and Waikato District Councils on the formation of their $1.4b Water CCO.  At the same time I am also managing a service delivery review programme at Hamilton City that are considering alternative governance options including CCO’s.

I have previously advised Westland and Waitaki District Councils on improving their stewardship and accountability for CCO performance.

 

Finance Team Review

SOLGM LTP Seminars / Financial Management Seminar

CCO Options Review

Project List

I have worked on many financial strategies, including Hamilton City Council’s and Waikato District Council.  Previous strategies have  been acclaimed by both SOLGM and by the Auditor General in her report to Parliament on LTP’s. 

2018 Strategies had the challenging of addressing significant investment to respond to unprecedented growth in the Waikato.

 

I have provided training through SOLGM on Financial Strategies.

 

Hamilton City Council contracted me to provide quality assurance reviews for service level reviews.  This involved the critical analysis of service level changes and business cases for every activity and making recommendations to  Council.  The target was to reduce cost of service by 6% and increase revenue by 2%.  These were achieved.

 

LTP Financial Strategies

Service Level Review — Quality Assurance

Hamilton City Council contracted me to complete quality assurance reviews for the LTP team in 2012 and 2015.  I re-wrote many of the policies, to be more accurate and succinct (including a significant rewrite of the Revenue and Financing Policy).  I made significant contributions to the smallest and best looking LTP and LTP summary the City has produced. 

The Auditor General in her report to Parliament stated “...we considered to be concise and written in a ratepayer-focused way. At 181 pages, it was one of the most concise LTPs produced...”.

 

Late in the LTP 2012/22 process I assisted Waimate District to pass audit and meet their LTP deadlines.

 

LTP — Quality Assurance

I wrote the manual.  As author of the SOLGM Effective Rating Reviews, I was able to impart my knowledge and experience to the sector.

This experience comes of the back of multiple rating reviews, from the very simple to the very complex, from large to small council’s, in city and rural environments.

 

Rating / Revenue and Financing Policy Reviews

The new CE of Westland District Council found herself in a surprising and difficult financial circumstance in late 2012.  I have worked with Council to establish its actual financial position, establish how this came about and map a path to financial sustainability.

Financial Review and Planning for Financial Sustainability

I have assisted Hamilton City in their development of 30 year Asset Management Plans that will consolidate into the Council Infrastructure Plan for the LTP.

With the first 30 Year infrastructure strategies completed I find they lack the strategic elements of the story.  I look forward to developing strategies that give greater consideration to the changes and challenges a council will face.

30 Year Infrastructure Plans

Are your financial reports getting to your managers too late?

At Waikato District Council I advised on the development of a new quick monthly reporting cycle.  For the first time, on December 6 2012 the Executive Team meet to review monthly financials only 4 business days after month end.

Quick Monthly Reporting

I managed Hamilton City’s Service Delivery Review Programme in 2017. 

This includes developing a guideline on how to do service delivery reviews and working with the Waikato LASS to develop some common approaches and timetables which increases the opportunities for collaboration. 

s17A Service Delivery Reviews