Finance and Support Committee

Finance and Support Committee

The purpose of this committee is to monitor and manage Council's financial position to ensure that expenditure achieves best value for money for the district's ratepayers and residents.

Areas of responsibility

• Financial/Planning and Control
• Insurances
• Corporate Accounting Services
• Treasury Management
• Loans
• Annual Plan
• Internal and External audit
• Administrative Services
• Legal Issues
• Civic Ceremonies
• Democracy Services
• Information Systems
• Customer Services
• Business Excellence
• Communications
• Human Resources
• Commercial property
• Pensioner housing
• General housing
• Forum North
• Marinas
• Airport
• Forestry
• Whangarei Information Centre
• Whangarei Tourism Trust
• Community sector liaison and support
• Community funding
• Creative NZ scheme
• Community Halls
• Museum/Art Museum liaison
• Such other functions as may be delegated by Council from time to time.

Chairperson

Councillor W L Syers

Ex-officio

His Worship the Mayor M C A Cutforth

Members

Councillors C B Christie, S J Deeming, A J Edwards, S M Glen, P R Halse, J S Jongejans, G M Martin, B L McLachlan, S L Morgan, K J Sutherland, M R Williams and J D T Williamson

Attendance at meetings

All Councillors have the right to attend Committee meetings and have speaking rights. Only Committee members have voting rights.

The Chief Executive Officer, Departmental Managers and such other Council Officers as deemed necessary, may attend Committee meetings.

Delegated authority

The Committee does not have the powers of Council to act in the following instances as specified by Clause (32) Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002:

• the power to make a rate; or
• the power to make a bylaw; or
• the power to borrow money, or purchase or dispose of assets, other than in accordance with the Long Term Council Community Plan or Annual Plan; or
• the power to adopt a Long Term Council Community Plan, Annual Plan, or Annual Report; or
• the power to appoint a Chief Executive; or
• the power to adopt policies required to be adopted and consulted on under this Act in association with the Long Term Council Community Plan or developed for the purpose of the local governance statement; or
• the power to warrant enforcement officers.

The Committee does have the power of Council to:

•  enter into contracts up to a value of $3 million + GST provided such contracts are in accordance with the Long Term Council Community Plan.
• does have the ability to appoint Subcommittees to deal with any matters of responsibility within the Committees Terms of Reference and areas of responsibility, and to make recommendations to the Committee on such matters and provided the Subcommittee shall not have power to act other than by a resolution of the Committee with specific limitations where there is urgency or special circumstances.
• does have the ability to make decisions in accordance with the Terms of Reference.

Terms of Reference

• To review, consider, consult, advise and instruct Management on matters relating to the areas of responsibility of the Finance and Support Committee.
• To ensure that Council finances are well managed.
• To ensure the provision of administrative services to Council, its Committees and Departments.
• To ensure the fulfilment of Councils legal obligations and responsibilities, including compliance with legal and regulatory matters.
• To ensure the preparation of Council's Long Term Council Community Plan, Annual Plan and Annual Report.
• To oversee the management of Council's commercial property portfolio including acquisitions and disposals within its financial delegation.
• To ensure Council develops strategies for identifying and managing risk and being satisfied risks are being properly managed (operational, financial and compliance risks).
• To perform the role of the Audit Committee unless Council approves otherwise.
• To carry out the role of the Chief Executive Review Committee unless Council approves otherwise.

Specific matters

Finance

• Critique and recommend to Council the annual budget.
• Review monthly variance accounting reports and budget re-forecasts.
• Provide advice on financial policies.
• Ensure appropriate delegations are in place.

Audit

• Agree audit scope with Management.
• Provide direct input on audit scope to the external auditor.
• Consider auditor management report, taking appropriate action.
• Consider any internal audit needs, including probity, waste and performance.
• Hold a confidential meeting with the external auditors at least once every year.

General

• Consider such other matters as referred to the Committee by the Council or Management from time to time.
• Make recommendations to Council where appropriate.
• Facilitate a process for Councillors to formally review their performance and conduct self evaluations.