CEO Objectives set – Improvements sought

Having recorded a surplus of $14.7 million to apply to debt repayment and capital, and shed over $3 million from the operating budget for 2011/12 - the Queenstown Lakes District Council is determined to drive further improvements, QLDC Mayor Vanessa van Uden said.

Following yesterday’s adoption of the 2011/12 Annual Report, the Council then moved to set performance expectations for incoming Chief Executive Adam Feeley. “The Annual Report was a good result, we want to continue to build on that momentum because there is room to lift Council’s performance further,” Mayor van Uden said.

Delivering important projects was critical to getting results, she said, and the new chief executive was 100 per cent in agreement.

Included in the projects agreed to be completed by 30 June, 2013 are:

Implementation of an effective water demand management plan.

A commercial-robust plan for the long-term management of the Council’s significant property portfolio.
Progression of a comprehensive review of the District Plan.

“Coupled with these and other major projects, Councillors expect significant internal improvements around efficiencies within the Council,” Mayor van Uden said.

The Chief Executive’s objectives had been set with the express purpose of demonstrating to the public that the services provided were amongst the best quality and value for money of any local government in New Zealand, she said.

“It’s an exciting time for the organisation. This Council anticipates strong results for our community,” Mayor van Uden said.

Progress on the set priorities would be publicly reported at each full Council meeting.

“Our community needs visibility of its Council and is entitled to see how the Council’s performance is progressing,” Mayor van Uden said.