Masterton District Council [MDC] has updated its asset management policy to formally include its chief executive, who is expected to take a leading role in the process.
MDC’s audit and risk committee voted to endorse the revised policy at its meeting on Wednesday.
The amendment means the council’s chief executive is now included on the list of management roles and responsibilities in the document.
The change was proposed as part of a recent council review of the policy, as part of the long-term plan process. The review was done in September and October.
As part of the review, MDC’s policy was compared with other local councils and also checked against legislation and central government guidance.
The role of the chief executive was not previously included in the MDC policy.
Following the endorsement, the chief executive role will now include the following responsibilities:
Take charge in promoting dynamic asset management among staff, council, and the community;
To collaborate with senior management to promote a cross-functional approach to asset management;
Monitor compliance with the policy itself.
A report by the council’s senior policy advisor Matt Steele was tabled at the meeting.
MDC manages a range of assets including water, sewerage, stormwater, roading, community facilities, and senior housing.
“Asset management is a significant part of council’s budget, covering creation, operation, maintenance, renewal, and disposal of assets.”
The new role of the chief executive in the management process will align with existing roles, including senior management team and the individual asset managers.
An independent peer review of the policy will be completed every three years, in addition to audits by the office of the auditor general as part of the long-term process.
-NZLDR
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