COUNCIL RESTRUCTURES ENGINEERING SERVICES TO IMPROVE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY
Glen Innes Severn Council will rejuvenate its Department of Engineering Services over the next year, by implementing key recommendations identified in the departmental review, carried out earlier this year.
In a report to last week's Council meeting, Director of Engineering Services, Vanessa Menzie, said the review was carried out by Local Government Employment Solutions and presented to the General Manager in June. "Upon my appointment as Director of Engineering Services, I undertook to evaluate the Employment Solutions report, consult with all Engineering Department employees on the report recommendations and provide my evaluation and implementation plan to the General Manager," she said.
Mrs Menzie said the review had been a necessary and valuable evaluation of the department that highlighted both its strengths and weaknesses. "There is an emphasis on asset management functions in the review," she said. "Council will address this by establishing an Asset Management Section that will develop Asset Management Plans."
The review also highlighted the need for human resource and managerial practices that focus on leadership, organisational capacity building, trust and communication. "Council will strive to become a learning organisation," Mrs Menzie explained. "We are also aiming for a better organized department, with clear lines of accountability running from a team leader at each work site right through to the Director."
Mrs Menzie said another important element of the restructure was to co-locate all Engineering Department employees at the depot. "This will improve communication and operations," she said.
Another aspect of the review is to implement systems and processes to ensure quality, safety and environmental outcomes. "As well as looking at procedures, we will be focusing on providing appropriate plant and equipment and funding arrangements for their replacement," Mrs Menzie explained. "Engineering Services has also been liaising with the other departmental sections to determine the core business of each, and rationalise inter-departmental resourcing and responsibilities."
Mrs Menzie thanked her staff for their support during the evaluation process. "I would like to commend to Council the many employees who value this community and are proud to work in Local Government," she said.
Contact details
Catherine McBride
cmcbride@gisc.nsw.gov.au
