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T.I.P.S. Hotline - Online
March 21, 2012 - As a continuation of our commitment to support the highest level of integrity of HRM’s workplace and employees, the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) is pleased to announce the launch of our TIPS Hotline - Online.
The TIPS Hotline - Online may be used by HRM staff as well as members of the public and is located on our webpage at www.halifax.ca/auditorgeneral.
The online form is the second step in our TIPS (Taking Improvement and Performance Seriously) initiative. It follows the TIPS Hotline (490-1144), launched to HRM staff in 2011. As with the phone initiative, all submissions are held in strict confidence and will not be shared in any way.
The TIPS Hotline - Online will augment other reporting services for the organization. The OAG will capture and evaluate concerns or complaints of potential inefficiencies (waste) or fraud (potentially illegal/irregular behaviour) involving HRM resources.
The TIPS Hotline - Online is not intended to replace normal business processes already established by HRM to address current or ongoing issues of an operational nature. Any concerns of this type will be referred to the appropriate business unit or agency. The OAG will not respond to potentially criminal activities in progress. These will be referred to 911 or the HRP non-emergency contact line at 490-5020.
Those submitting information may remain anonymous but are encouraged to leave contact information (which is held in strict confidence) should the issue require further clarification. A valid phone number or email address is required for this follow-up. Call 490-1144 if you have any questions regarding the TIPS Hotline - Online or if you wish to make your submission over the phone.
Remember:
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HRM strives to protect staff and HRM-owned assets.
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HRM believes it’s important to create a culture of open communication where issues and concerns can be dealt with as they arise.
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HRM continually strives to ensure its processes contribute to best practices and integrity in our business and in our actions.
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The Office of the Auditor General TIPS Hotline - Online provides HRM staff and the general public with a comfortable, confidential way to report any issues or areas of concern.
For more information about the Office of the Auditor General or to read the TIPS Hotline Annual Report for 2011, please visit our webpage at
www.halifax.ca/auditorgeneral.
Taking Improvement and Performance Seriously!
Annual Report 2011
The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) is pleased to provide our report of work completed by the Office for the period from the establishment of the OAG September 28, 2009 to March 31, 2011.
The normal practice will be to report on an annual basis the activities and progress of the Office. This first report includes a longer than normal period of time as explained in the report. For the immediate future, reports will be prepared for each year ending March 31 as this follows the budget cycle of the Office of the Auditor General. To view the full report, please CLICK HERE.
Advisory Activity Reports
November 29, 2011 - The Office of the Auditor General is frequently called upon to provide advice on various matters within the HRM organization. The Auditor General gives careful consideration to all requests with regard to mandate, risk management, value to the organization, etc. We will periodically post a synopsis of each activity. The first reports have been posted today on the issues of the Council Code of Conduct - Complaint Process, and the Recruitment Process - Chief Administrative Officer. To view the Activity Reports, please CLICK HERE.
Reports Published
April 18, 2012 - Use of External Consulting Services 2007/08 to 2010/11
March 28, 2012 - Annual Report Period Ended March 31, 2011
February 15, 2012 - HRM's Contribution to Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market
February 15, 2012 - Review: Benefits Budgeting & Overtime Drivers in HRM
January 20, 2012 - T.I.P.S. Hotline 2011 Annual Report
January 20, 2012 - Review: Request for Proposal (RFP) Process
August 24, 2011 - Wireless Communications Review
August 22, 2011 - District Activity & District Capital Funds - Compliance Review
June 7, 2011 - Review of Concerts on North Common Jan. '06 to Mar. '11
April 28, 2011 - Corporate Grants, Donations and Contributions
March 23, 2011 - Corporate Overtime - Risk and Opportunity Phase I
March 11, 2011 - Transit Cash Collection & Processing
February 7, 2011 - As the development of the Office of the Auditor General proceeds, the first set of reports (6) was published today. We will publish reports in sets as they are completed and have been presented to the HRM Audit and Finance Standing Committee.
To view the reports, please CLICK HERE.
Larry Munroe to be First HRM Auditor General
(September 9, 2009) - Mayor Peter Kelly, on behalf of Halifax Regional Council, and Councillor Gloria McCluskey, Chair of the Audit Committee, are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Larry Munroe, FCA, as the Municipality’s first Auditor General.
Mr. Munroe brings a wealth of experience to this significant new role within the Halifax Regional Municipality. Throughout his extensive career, Mr. Munroe has served in senior roles through which he managed financial statement audits, as well as compliance/controls, and value for money services for a variety of municipalities, as well as the provision of professional services to the Province of New Brunswick. He will begin his position with HRM on September 28, 2009.
"In his new role, Mr. Munroe’s first responsibility is to the public. In doing so, he is responsible for assisting Council in holding itself and administration accountable for the quality of stewardship over the public funds and for achieving value for money in the operation of the municipality,” said Councillor McCluskey, Chair of the Audit Committee. “We are always looking to ensure our residents are getting the best value for the dollar.”
"In 2008, the Nova Scotia Legislature amended the HRM Municipal Charter to add the requirement for the HRM Council to appoint an Auditor General. This change is a result of direction set by Regional Council and the Audit Committee and is certainly welcomed,” said Mayor Kelly.
Once the legislation was proclaimed in January, Regional Council authorized the Audit Committee to recruit a suitable candidate for the Auditor General’s position and report back to Council with a recommendation on an appointment. A national recruitment program was carried out this past spring, interviews were conducted, and the Audit Committee made a recommendation to Council on August 11, 2009.
The appointment of Mr. Munroe is for a seven-year term. During that time he will have the authority to examine accounts, procedures, and programs of the municipality, as well as any municipal Board or Commission, or any person or agency receiving a grant from the municipality.
"Senior staff look forward to working with Mr. Munroe,” said CAO, Dan English. "Independence and transparency are key to enhancing public confidence in the municipal service delivery system.”
The Auditor General, Mr. Munroe, reports to Regional Council and within the first six months of taking office, he will develop and file an annual work plan with Council and will subsequently report to the public annually through a public Council meeting.
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Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
Councillor Gloria McCluskey
Audit Committee Chair
490-7033
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