Annual Report 07/08 - Lithgow City Council

Message from the General ManagerRoger BaileyIn recent years Lithgow Council has undertaken some major reform of its managementplanning processes as well as the organisation. Through this process Council has identified itsVision for the City to be:A centre of Regional excellence that:• Encourages community growth and development• Contributes to the efficient and effective management of the environment,community and economy for present and future generations.The Vision was developed in collaboration with the community. This laid the foundation for thedevelopment of vision statements for the Principal Activities of Council.Through its Management Plan, Council ensures that the organisation stays on track to deliverthe annual program, is publicly accountable, and continues to provide services andinfrastructure to the community.During the year the Department of Local Government issued its report on its Better PracticeReview Program for Lithgow City Council. The Program recognised that the Council was anorganisation in transition. This transition has continued during the year with the resultsshowing benefits for the Council and for the community.The Review Report also recognised that “The Council faces significant challenges in respect toits financial position.” The Council, through hard work, has continued to improve its financialposition with another favourable financial outcome for the year. Council is now moving to aposition to provide for future needs and improvements within the Council area.Long-term asset management needs to become a high priority for the Council. To becomeproactive in the way in which the assets are managed the Council needs to develop an assetmanagement policy, strategy and asset management plans for each asset class. This needs tobe integrated with the longer-term financial plan to ensure that the asset management plansfit within the Council budget or that any shortfalls can be identified and solutions sought.This annual report outlines the Council's achievements of the performance targets set in the2007/08 – 2009/10 Management Plan for the 2007/08 financial year and provides financialstatements of income and expenditure for the year as required under the Local GovernmentAct 1993 and Local Government (General) Regulations 2005.Acknowledgement must go to the former General Manager Mr Paul Anderson who resignedfrom the Lithgow City Council on the 20 June 2008 to take up the position of General Managerwith Eurobadalla City Council. Mr Anderson was instrumental in the development andimplementation of activities for the 2008/09 financial year. Mr Anderson was replaced by aninterim General Manager who acted in the position until I commenced on 22 September 2008.Roger BaileyGENERAL MANAGER________________________________________________________________________________________________Annual Report – 2007/ 2008 Page 3