Councillors are being asked to extend the term of the Chair of Council’s Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) which expires on April 26.
“In order to maintain organisational experience, and consistent oversight of organisational effectiveness and efficiency, it is recommended an exemption be sought from the Office of Local Government to extend the Chair’s term for 12 months to April
2026,” the report to councillors says.
The chair, Carl Millington, has been on the Council’s ARIC since its inception in June 20117 – while Council was still in its original administration after Gosford and Wyong merged.
None of the staff in the senior roles at that first meeting are still at Council.
Mr Millington became Chair of ARIC in 2021.
The Regulation mandates an independent member serve no more than eight years in a 10 year period.
But another ARIC member is retiring in April and Council doesn’t want to have to replace two members.
The committee has three external members only.
The report to councillors says that members are hard to get.
“Unable to Find a Suitable Person,” is the heading.
“Since June 2022, Council has needed to fill two vacancies in the independent membership of ARIC,” the report explains.
“In seeking to fill those vacancies, it has conducted two Expression of Interest campaigns.
“In 2022, Council received 20 expressions of interest, shortlisted four candidates for interview, and the interview panel did not make a recommendation as to a preferred candidate of those interviewed.”
Subsequently, Council directly appointed a person to the role who has since had to leave as he became a councillor elsewhere in NSW.
In 2024, Council received 17 expressions of interest, shortlisted three candidates for interview, and hired Michelle Lawson.
“From the Expression of Interest campaigns undertaken, it is apparent that Council has a limited pool of suitable candidates from which to identify independent ARIC members,” Council said.
“In circumstances where a casual vacancy is shortly to be filled, it would appear from recent experience that a single vacancy will be challenging to fill, whereas two such vacancies will amount to a near-impossibility. “
According to the council website, ARIC last met in November 2024 and had no other meeting in 2024.
But ARIC did meet at least once a quarter like it is supposed to: Council has confirmed ARIC met on 28 March, 5 June, 22 August, 21 October for an extraordinary meeting and again on 28 November.
But Council Watch’s question as to why the Minutes are not on the website remains unanswered.
