The Department of Local Government in Western Australia encourages increased accountability in local authorities through its annual Best Budget Awards.
After completion of its 1996/97 review of 121 Local Government budgets, four Councils, the Shire of Shark Bay, City of Canning, the Shire of Roebourne and the Shire of Donnybrook – Balingup were awarded Certificates of Excellence for their budgets. The Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup, with 4,500 residents, was judged best in the State.
Councils are judged on their level of compliance with legislative requirements, general presentation and provision of information to the reader. Donnybrook-Balingup Chief Executive Officer, John Attwood, said that Council was delighted to be assessed as the best in the State.
“The achievement of number one budget assessment is the result of a concentrated team effort by staff and Councillors,” he said. “Staff have shown a total commitment to execute changes required by legislation and Council has provided the necessary support and foresight for this process.”
He congratulated Shire Accountant Fiona Rudd for the standard of the budget and added that residents have been assured that Council officers are always available to explain the finer points of the budget.
The Department believes that the Best Budget Awards have resulted in a considerable improvement in the standard of budget presentation. Last year two Shires, Menzies and Halls Creek, raised their overall placing by 100 and 96 places respectively from the previous year. Despite benchmarks being raised this year, 36 percent of budgets reviewed bettered the minimum standards compared to 28 per cent last year.
The Department is now urging councils throughout the State to consider their strategies for presenting their 1997/98 budgets with the view that the ranking and assessment of budgets will become an important component of Local Government in coming years.
For further information on the Best Budget Awards contact the Western Australian Local Government Department, telephone (09) 222 0511.
