21 September 2004

Council Begins Clean Up For Consents Handling Process

Following a recent independent review of building and resource consent processes by Audit NZ, Council has begun the important task of addressing recommendations made by the auditors: Audit NZ and Montgomery Watson Herza (MWH).

City Manager Colin Dale says a high level task force has been charged with implementing the recommendations regarding Council's building and resource consents processes.

The task force will: 1. Establish several work groups within Council to implement recommendations 2. Set down a programme of service improvement and resource it adequately 3. Organise ongoing independent review of the improvement programme 4. Report their progress regularly to the Council 5. Ensure the results of the improvements are made public

Mr Dale says a decision on who will be appointed to lead the Taskforce is due in the next couple of days when the details of the terms of reference are formalised. He says the appointee is someone who is widely respected for his experience on building and resource consent procedures.

"We want the development community, from the financier to the chippie to the checkout operators at a supply chain, to have an understanding of the development process. This will include access to appropriate knowledge, and if necessary certainty about what to expect from every party involved in each stage of the process. If we're to lead this change then it must be by example. If we're to effect any change then we need everyone's support for it to work," said Mr Dale.

"It is very important to reinforce public confidence in Council's operations which have been under enormous pressure. Staff are committed to providing quality service and best practise in dealing with the building and development industries," he said.

ENDS

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