Whanganui District Council gets tick from auditors on wastewater plant

Whanganui District Council

Auditors have given the tick to the project management of the city wastewater treatment plant's construction - seven months out from commissioning - as part of their look over the Whanganui District Council's draft annual report.

Audit director Debbie Perera told the council's strategy and finance committee last week that Audit New Zealand focused on certain areas when assessing the annual report, including council's procurement policy, revaluation of assets and the wastewater treatment plant.

"We had our specialist team come in and look at the project management side of [the wastewater treatment plant] and we are pleased to say that there were no major findings."

Some councillors questioned the fact that trade waste agreements or a bylaw were not in place with the plant near completion.

"I will be expecting, when you report next year, that your report contains some relevance to the fact that this council is burdened with an incomplete contract for paying for that scheme by the people who mostly use it," councillor David Bennett said.

Councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan asked if Audit New Zealand had any concerns about that fact.

But chief executive Kym Fell said council would be updated on trade waste charges at the next council meeting.

"In the meantime there should be no speculation or assumptions as to how far we've progressed," he said.

That update, given on Wednesday, occurred in the public excluded section of the meeting and remain secret.

Mr Fell also said the annual report would show a reduction in staffing numbers of about 22 full-time equivalents.

Councillor Rob Vinsen said that was important to highlight.

"I think that it is a myth that is out there in the public, who think there is an excess of staff in this council," he said.

"This council is at the bedrock as far as staff is concerned, and I hope that message gets out there."

The annual report was signed off by councillors yesterday.

"We are satisfied with the disclosures made in the annual report, both financial and non-financial," Mrs Perera said.