Perth Voice Interactive

THEY’VE scrimped and saved and now Vincent’s massive budget problems seem to finally be under control.

At the start of the financial year the council had to save $6.4million after a budget error threatened to put it in the red.

In the latest budget update it’s predicting to be just $165,000 off the mark come July. It’s looking to be the first time in five years it hasn’t wound up with a multi-million dollar deficit.

CEO Len Kosova, who walked into the job mid-last year to find the budget in disarray, says some savings have been found by keeping a close eye on staff spending.

“We’ve had to introduce a great deal more financial control and rigour than the organisation has previously experienced,” he says.

“I’ve made it crystal clear to all managers and directors that they will be held to account to manage their budgets.”

Reports on what department heads buy with their corporate credit card now go to the council every month. Works are scrutinised for completion and the council is more rigorous when it comes to exacting payment.

Asked how staff had reacted to the strict measures, especially given former CEO John Giorgi had been popular with the troops, Mr Kosova replied: “I’ll be blunt”.

“We’re here to run a business on behalf of our community,” he told the Voice. “It’s not a popularity contest, and we need to make sure we’re extracting the best value for public money.

“For some staff that might be something that’s different and maybe a little uncomfortable, but other staff are embracing it and appreciate the extra accountability and responsibilities.”

Much of the savings have come from deferring projects such as the Oxford Street CCTV plan, and the $100,000 youth skate park is off the table.

But mayor John Carey says there hasn’t been too many projects affected.

The next budget will be looked at closely so the council doesn’t bite off more than it can chew.

“We’re on track,” the mayor says. “We are turning things around, our new CEO is driving accountability and scrutiny in the organisation and that should give confidence to the community that we are moving in the right direction and eliminating wastage where we can.”

by DAVID BELL