Adoption of annual report delayed

Adoption of Buller District Council’s annual report will now take place early in the New Year.

Council had planned to adopt its 2021/2022 annual report on 21 December at a special meeting.

Council auditors Ernst & Young and council concluded today that despite both parties having worked diligently and purposely to complete the annual audit prior to the end of December statutory deadline, it is not possible to complete all matters to allow an audit report to be issued.

Council has endured a difficult 18 months responding to two major flood events. Scaling up the council’s resources and financial systems to undertake the various repairs and appropriately account for the significant levels of central government funding has meant some staff resource has had to be reallocated away from business as usual.
This years’ audit is the first for Ernst & Young of the Buller District Council. As such they needed time to become familiar with the council’s systems and processes.

Mayor Jamie Cleine says, “Although the audit is essentially finished, the audit and council teams have some final review processes to complete. Council will adopt the annual report at the first appropriate meeting in the New Year. It is frustrating not to meet the statutory deadline of 31 December, but the demands noted above have meant that the delay cannot be avoided and council has advised the necessary authorities of the delay.”

-ENDS-

Further information please contact:
Acting Chief Executive
Rachel Townrow
rachel.townrow@bdc.govt.nz