This year, Pittwater Council in NSW had assistance from an unusual consulting source. Under an initiative developed by the Quality Council of Australia, known as the E-Scheme, a group of students from Pittwater High School reviewed an aspect of Council operations.
The E-Scheme, with ‘E’ standing for Enterprise, encourages joint projects between schools and organisations. The aim is to give students realistic experience of working in the public or private sector. At the same time, it benefits organisations through the opportunities that can arise from a fresh outlook on their work.
The Pittwater students spent their week assessing Council’s orders procedure. This includes Council directions to carry out work, cease certain activities or rectify property problems. Orders can be served by various Council Officers including Building Inspectors, Development Officers, Rangers and Environmental Health Officers.
Environmental Compliance Manager, Jeff Lofts, said that the students had brought fresh insight into Council’s processes and had ultimately produced a very workable solution. In one instance they recognised an additional electronic recording feature which had not been realised previously.
“The lesson to be learned is that you can sometimes be too close to a problem,” he said.
At a presentation attended by Council managers, members of the Quality Council and interested people from their school and community, students outlined areas where they thought changes could be made.
Jeff Lofts said Council has already implemented many of the recommended changes and others are to follow.
“In fact we are already looking at having another team work on a separate matter as we were so pleased with the result,” he said.
For further information contact Jeff Lofts, telephone (02) 9970 1136.
