Financial tick of approval

The District Council of Grant has received the tick of approval for its books, identified as financially sustainable by the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA).

Over a 6-month period, ESCOSA met with 17 councils across South Australia, including the District Council of Grant, to review relevant financial information and develop independent advice on the appropriateness of funding plans, and ensuring community benefit is at the forefront of decision making.

District Council of Grant chief executive officer Darryl Whicker said the review’s findings were very positive for council highlighting its sustainability.

“The report identified that a majority of key activities in place, such as our regular updating of the Long Term Financial Plan, consultation on the Annual Business Plan and Budget, and focus on keeping rates low, are setting Council and our community up for future success and longevity,” Mr Whicker said.

Reporting also detailed that council continues to improve its transparency on changes to key planning assumptions within the Long Term Financial Plan, and Annual Business Plan and Budget.

Its commitment to assign more funding to the renewal of assets rather than prioritising new infrastructure initiatives were also further validated.

“However, with all audits there is the expectation that there will be some areas of learning and improvement,” Mr Whicker said.

“Our focus will be on renewing our Asset Management Plans which are in place but are currently just at the end of their currency. That was certainly an element which we understood and will be correcting in the near future along with other improvement opportunities identified.”

Mayor Kylie Boston said this news proves timely as council was currently in the middle of its annual budgeting process.

“The report reconfirms that council’s ongoing work conducting a range of checks and balances, external audits and internal financial controls are on the right track and performing as they should,” Mayor Kylie Boston.

“Now we will look into the future to ensure we can continue to deliver services the community needs and wants in a continued efficient and sustainable way.”

The District Council of Grant will release its Draft 2024-2025 Annual Business Plan and Budget in the coming months ready for community consultation; a process which ESCOSA specifically identified as one of Council’s strengths.