Mark Strahle appointed to shire audit committee

NARRABRI Shire councillor Mark Strahle has been appointed to the council’s Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC).

Cr Strahle was nominated to the position by Cr Greg Lamont following Cr Jocellin Jansson’s resignation from the committee.

Cr Jansson, who is a member of a number of other council and community organisation committees, said she felt she couldn’t give ARIC the time it needs.

Councils are required under the Local Government Act to have such a committee to independently review and advise on compliance, risk management, fraud control, financial management, governance and other important matters.

Under the act, committees need to consist of a chairperson and at least two independent members. One councillor, who must not be the mayor, can also be appointed.

To preserve the independence of the committee, the councillor member is not able to vote.

Instead, the councillor’s role is to provide insights into local issues, relay to the committee any concerns the governing body may have regarding the council and to also advise the governing body of the work of ARIC.

Cr Jansson said she wanted to give another councillor an opportunity to give the committee the time it deserves.

She has served as the councillor delegate for almost two years.

“I’m very involved in a lot of community groups and community committees as well as quite a number of council subcommittees and as such I feel that I am stretched,” she told the meeting.

“There are some things that I feel that I’m not able to give enough time to. One of those is ARIC.

“It needs more time than I’m able to give it.”

Mayor Darrell Tiemens told the meeting that the statutory role of the ARIC committee was one of importance.

“Having a councillor on that committee is critical in terms of being the eyes and ears for all of us as councillors,” he said.

Cr Strahle accepted the nomination by Cr Lamont and also thanked Cr Jansson for her service to the committee.

“I want to acknowledge Cr Jansson and her contribution to date. It’s very much appreciated everything she’s done,” Cr Strahle said.