annual report - City of Bayswater

Chief Executive
Officer’s Report
Since assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer on
1 October 2008, I have been pleased by the City’s commitment
to delivering high quality services to our community.
The City offers a wide range of
services - from aged and youth
services to cultural events and
recreational facilities. It also
ensures the urban development of
our City is carefully planned and
takes account of our natural and
built heritage.
The City also plays a role in
attracting business investment and
promoting economic development
so there are local jobs, as well
as commercial services for our
community.
In 2008-09, the City has delivered
this full range of services
once again, within the budget
parameters set by Council and
despite the significant economic
and reform challenges that
emerged during the financial year.
Early in 2008-09 the State’s
buoyant economy presented
challenges for the City in attracting
and retaining a skilled workforce.
However, by December 2008, with
the global slowdown, there has
been a noticeable increase in the
number of applicants expressing
an interest in working for the City
of Bayswater. Indeed, the quality
of the applicants applying to join
our team has been outstanding
and this augurs well for the future.
The challenge will be, as the
economy recovers, to remain an
attractive employer for those seeking
a rewarding career serving the
community.
The City also had to respond to
the new State Government’s desire
for local government structural
reform. Early in 2009, the Minister
for Local Government, the Hon.
John Castrilli, announced a five
stage reform process aimed at
voluntarily reducing the number of
councils in Western Australia. The
City of Bayswater completed the
first of those five stages in April
2009. This involved submitting a
checklist looking at our management
processes and policies. We
were also required to enter into
discussions with our neighbouring
local governments. The reform
process will be completed in the
next financial year.
One of the priorities in 2008-09
has been to take forward the
development of the organisation’s
strategic plan. The strategic plan
sets the direction of the organisation
and ensures that our resources
are aligned to deliver the services
demanded by our community now
and in the future, and in a financially
sustainable way.
We at the City of Bayswater
recognise that we must always look
for ways to improve the quality,
efficiency and effectiveness of our
services. That is why, in 2008‐09,
the City’s new computer based
document management and
tracking system became operational.
The system is a valuable tool for the
organisation to improve its customer
service by ensuring that all customer
correspondence, telephone requests
and contacts are recorded and
can be “tracked” to ensure timely
responses are given.
This is one step down the path of
continuous improvement to which
we are all committed.
I would like to acknowledge the
foundation laid by the outgoing Chief
Executive Officer, Mario Carosella,
who retired in September 2008 after
15 years of service.
Finally, I would like to thank the
Mayor and his fellow councillors for
their support over the last year. I
must also acknowledge the support
of my Directors and congratulate the
City’s staff on their commitment and
enthusiasm in working to deliver for
our community.
Francesca Lefante
Chief Executive Officer
4 city of bayswater annual report 2008-09