Local Govt's financial reporting processes awarded

The City of Armadale and Shires of Esperance and Chapman Valley have been recognised for their effective financial reporting processes in the State Government's Financial Management Awards for Local Government for the 2005-06 financial year.

The full text of an announcement from Local Government Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich is pasted below

Local Government Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich today announced the winners of the Financial Management Awards for Local Government for the 2005-06 financial year.

The awards were introduced in 2001 and recognise local governments that provide the most effective financial reporting processes throughout the year.

The awards are determined from an assessment of financial documents presented by local governments in terms of presentation and content, effectiveness as a management and reporting tool, compliance with the 'Local Government Act 1995', associated regulations and Australian Accounting Standards.

The winners of the awards by category were:

- Small Rural and Country Regional Local Governments
Certificate of Excellence: Shire of Chapman Valley
Certificate of Merit: Shire of Dundas
Certificate of Merit: Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands

- Rural Local Governments
Certificate of Excellence: Shire of Esperance
Certificate of Merit: Shire of Wagin
Certificate of Merit: Shire of Capel

- Metropolitan and Country City Local Governments
Certificate of Excellence: City of Armadale
Certificate of Merit: City of Bunbury
Certificate of Merit: City of Stirling

The Shire of Esperance has received a Certificate of Excellence for three consecutive years and the Shire of Chapman Valley has received this award for the second time in four years.

In congratulating the winners, Ms Ravlich said the awards not only recognised excellence, but had themselves become an important tool in raising the standards of financial management in local government.

"These awards make an important contribution to raising standards of accountability and reporting in local governments across the State," she said.

"The efforts of the Shire of Esperance and the Shire of Chapman Valley by winning their categories more than once are particularly commendable given the strong competition."