News that the Asset Management Group of Hutt City Council has been accredited with ISO 9000/2000 is evidence of the ongoing commitment of staff to look for efficiencies and improvements in our work practices, says General Manager Stuart Duncan.

"ISO accreditation is not easy - it is a long and involved process. Asset Management staff have shown a dedication to this project which is, quite simply, outstanding," said Mr Duncan.

"I would also like to give thanks to the assistance we received on this project from Steve McCarthy, a divisional manager in the Customer Services Group of Council, who gave us valuable guidance in steering us through the process of accreditation."

Accreditation is the culmination of eight months work by the Asset Management Group and involved meticulously documenting quality assurance measures, managerial responsibilities and work processes.

"The practical effect of ISO accreditation is that, should an employee not be able to do a job - for whatever reason - there will be a formalised record of what needs to be done, where key information can be found and how the job should be completed."

All information is accessible from a new ISO site on the Council's intranet.

"The plain fact is, that the larger the organisation the more likely it can be that information and institutional knowledge is lost. This 'fragmentation' of information can be exacerbated by people keeping information in different places and in different formats," said Stuart Duncan.

"Gaining accreditation is not only a credit to all those individuals who contributed, but is also reflects well on the Council as a whole."

The Asset Management Group includes divisions responsible for managing parks, reserves, sporting grounds, roading, water services, landfills and the Council's property assets.

It employs more than 50 staff and manages 12 of the Council's 22 activities. The Group is responsible for more than $50 million of annual expenditure.

ENDS

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