Annual Report 2009/2010 - Hawkesbury City Council - NSW ...

Section 428 (2) (p) Controlling Interest in Companies
Hawkesbury City Council did not hold a controlling interest in any company during the 2009/20010 financial
year.
Section 428 (2) (q) Partnerships, Co-operatives and Joint
Ventures
In an endeavour to achieve efficiencies in its operations, Council has formed alliances and/or undertakes
initiatives with other councils and organisations in areas such as joint purchasing arrangements via
participation in the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC); pooled insurances
arrangements via Westpool; the operation of its Companion Animal Shelter by entering into an agreement
with Penrith and the Hills Shire Councils facilitating the use of Hawkesbury's facility. This latter alliance has
alleviated the need for those councils to establish their own facility and enabled a more economical use of
resources.
WSROC
Hawkesbury City Council in partnership with Auburn, Bankstown, the Hills Shire, Blacktown, Holroyd,
Fairfield, Penrith, Liverpool and Blue Mountains participates in Western Sydney Regional Organisation of
councils (WSROC).
WSROC's mission is to "secure through research, lobbying and the fostering of cooperation between
councils, a sustainable lifestyle for the people of Western Sydney and the provision of infrastructure and that
no one should have to leave the region to have access to amenities, services and opportunities others in
Urban Australia take for granted."
As part of Council's involvement in WSROC it participates in Joint Purchasing Agreements with other
member councils resulting in savings in expenditure levels in those areas.
Westpool
Hawkesbury City Council is a member of Westpool, which is an insurance and risk management
discretionary mutual, established in 1988 and consists of seven western Sydney Councils – Blacktown, Blue
Mountains, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Parramatta and Penrith City Councils.
This alliance provides opportunities for its members to self manage public liability & professional indemnity
claims, to purchase a variety of insurance products and to share risk management strategies. Currently
public liability, professional indemnity, corporate travel, group personal accident and fidelity guarantee
insurances are purchased by Westpool. Westpool, in association with its sister organisation, Metro Pool has
established United Independent Pools (UIP) which now self manages motor vehicle, industrial special risks
and Councillors & Officers insurance cover. Through the ability of these groups to self insure and "bulk
purchase" insurance it is considered that significant savings have been achieved in the level of premiums
paid by the Council in comparison to potential premiums had Council approached the insurance market as a
single entity. Workers compensation is managed independently under our Self Insurance License since
1983.
In addition, much is gained by councils being able to share experiences, initiatives and ideas in areas such
as risk management strategies, claims management strategies, fleet management, property protection and
security, Occupational Health & Safety, workers compensation, etc. Council continues to reap the benefits of
this alliance which now actively covers all lines of insurance
Westpool is managed by a representative of elected members and senior officers from all member Councils
and is funded by contributions based on independent actuarial assessment.
2009/2010 Annual Report Page 111