Panel appointed to review CCOs

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff’s election promise of a comprehensive review of Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) is underway.

The panel that will lead the independent review consists of  two members of Council’s Independent Reference Panel for its ‘value for money programme’, Miriam Dean and Doug Martin, and former local government chief executive Leigh Auton. Miriam Dean was appointed chair.

The Mayor believes reform is needed to improve public trust in the CCOs by making them more accountable. The review will be used to identify changes to enhance Council oversight and enable the Council to exercise a greater level of control over the organisations.

The panel’s role is to provide recommendations to the Governing Body to ensure services delivered by the CCOs are efficient and effective and their decision-making has sufficient levels of political oversight, public transparency and accountability.

The review will focus on the CCO model, roles and responsibilities, the mechanisms of accountability between CCO boards, the council and the public, and the culture of CCOs responsiveness to the council and Aucklanders.

During the first three months of this year, the panel is consulting with ratepayers to seek their input.
It will provide a draft report outlining key issues and feedback in May, with a final report and recommendations expected by the end of July.