FinPro Member Update August 2020 (Edition 4)

October 19, 2020

President’s Message

A quiet update this week – I think everyone is flat out and we are mindful of that. It’s a challenging balance at the moment with all the additional workload of COVID, combined with business as usual.

I know I have said this before, but it is really important to allow yourself even just 5 minutes every now and then to take a break, have a cuppa, take a few deep breaths and maybe even get some fresh air! The sun is shining today so and promises to continue shining over the weekend – a great opportunity to get outside! It certainly is a marathon at the moment.

Thanks to the members who have been able to put their hand up to help us out with the working group associated with the Local Government Integrated Planning Framework – this will be a great opportunity for our members to have a say on guidelines and templates for this important transition in the new act. Thank-you too to Tony Rocca, one of our VP’s, for taking the lead in this really important work for the sector.

Cheers,

Bradley

 

Membership News

We welcome as a new member Chaminda Vidanage – Assistant Accountant at the International Consolidated Business Group

We congratulate Simone Wickes on her new role at Frankston City Council as Manager Financial and Corporate Planning.

And finally, we congratulate Helen Sui, former FinPro Executive Member, who has just been appointed to the role of CEO, Moonee Valley City Council. Awesome work Helen! Helen has previously had roles at Whittlesea, Moreland and Nillumbik Councils.

If you have any news to share with the FinPro membership please forward this to Gab.

 

Local Government Act 2020 – EOI’s for working party

FinPro have now established a working group to assess the integrated framework in relation to the new Local Government Act and its key elements, such as:

– Budget;
– Financial Plan;
– Asset Plan; and
– Revenue and Rating Plan

This working group will complement the work LGV are doing as part of the co-design. As reference, the following link has more information on that particular work

Thank-you to all members who submitted Expressions of Interest to be involved in the Working Group. The response we received was fantastic, including a number of people not working directly in the Finance space who want to be a part of the group and provide some input and direction on the new requirements of the Act and what needs to be established for the sector.

The members of this group will play an important role in assisting the sector to be prepared for the new requirements of the Act and also will collaborate with Local Government Victoria and others in forming some of the standard, process and Policy setting.

Members of the Working Group, to be headed up by Tony Rocca, Chair of the FinPro Technical Committee and Finance Manager Maroondah City Council will be:

We will also introduce specialised members from the sector for specific components of the work to be done.

 

Proposed LG (Governance and Integrity) Regulations 2020

The proposed Local Government (Governance and Integrity) Regulations 2020 have now been published on EngageVic for consultation with the sector.

https://engage.vic.gov.au/local-government-act-2020/consult-governance-and-integrityregulations

Consultation will close 11 September 2020.

 

Implementing the changes to the Accounting Standards

FinPro has developed some guidance to assist members. This information is provided following consultation with both LGV and VAGO and is included on our website.

 

2020/21 Council Budget Parameters and Budget Adoption Timelines

A reminder that FinPro are providing an up-to-date picture across the state of the progress of adoption of Council Budgets for 2020/21, along with measures taken within the budget to assist communities to cope with the effects of COVID-19. As Council’s adopt their budgets, please provide the updated information to gab so that she can update the survey accordingly.

Also of note is a report that FinPro have prepared that should be read alongside the survey results. The report was distributed to all CEO’s, the Minister Local Government and key stakeholders, as well as all FinPro members, earlier this week and has been well received by the sector.

 

FinPro Professional Development

In place of our Lunch and Learn session on Friday 4 September, we will be facilitating a range of regional sessions, providing an opportunity for members to engage with their fellow colleagues over a cuppa. Invitations will be sent out on Monday.

Recordings of our recent sessions are available online:

LUNCH AND LEARN – Setting a New Work Mindset – 31 July 2020 WATCH NOW

FinPro Q&A – Technical discussion – 6 August 2020 WATCH NOW

 

Job Vacancies

FinPro is happy to place advertisements on our website for any finance related positions our members councils are advertising. Please send the following details through to Gab.

The following position is currently being advertised:

 

FinPro Executive Members

President – Bradley Thomas (Hepburn Shire Council)

Executive Officer – Gab Gordon

Vice-President: Chair Technical Committee – Tony Rocca (Maroondah City Council)

Technical Committee members:

  • Danny Wain (Monash City Council)
  • Kristy Stephens (Bass Coast Shire)
  • Liz Rowland (Western Water)
  • Mark Montague (Yarra City Council)
  • Nathan Morsillo (Greater Bendigo City Council)
  • Vishantri Perera (Yarra Ranges Shire Council)

 

Vice-President: Chair Professional Development committee – Binda Gokhale (Wyndham CC)

Professional Development Committee members:

  • Belinda Johnson (Southern Grampians Shire)
  • Charles Nganga (Casey City Council)
  • John Brockway (Surf Coast Shire) – also leads the FinPro Mentoring Program
  • Kim Jaensch (Frankston City Council) – leads the FinPro Leadership Program

 

Thank-you to our 2019 Conference sponsors

We look forward to seeing you back at our next annual conference from 20 – 22 October 2021 at RACV Cape Schanck

 

To Contact FinPro:

Gabrielle Gordon – Executive Officer – FinPro
M: 0400 114 015
E: [email protected]
W: www.finpro.org.au

 

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