Regional Infrastructure Projects Update - October 2014

• Financial v performance audits – what is the difference?

• Performance audit on fraud management in local government,

• Procurement issues from 13/14 council interim audits,

• Audit review of contact management and financial delegation authorities in local government.

During general Q&A the subject of corporate purchase card costs and processes were raised.  Brendan advised that QAO's Report to Parliament 6/2013-2014 entitled "Results of Audit: Internal Control Systems" had identified the advantages to council of corporate purchase cards, when used appropriately for routine large volume and low value/low risk transactions (for eg. transactions between $0 and $5,000).  The advantages included;

• Significant administrative savings by

• Minimising paperwork and streamlining process.
• Reduced human error in the invoicing and accounts payable section.
• Faster acquisition of goods and services.

• Increased probity and transparency of bulk of council's transactions (ie. time, place, and who places the limit on the council staff member's spend ability).

• Increased Supplier satisfaction due to

• quick payment,
• minimising administrative requirements following transaction, ie. nil invoicing and following up of payment etc.

The next Regional Procurement meeting will be held on Friday 28 November 2014 at Cairns Regional Council.  

Prior to this meeting, Donna Patane and Eleanor Scott from MacDonnells Law have accepted my invitation to present condensed versions of their "TNQ20 Knowledge Cafe Series" presentations which MacDonnells conducted through TNQ20 and Cairns Regional Council to the small business community.   

Knowledge Cafe # 3 - Whose idea is it anyway?

• Understanding intellectual property & negotiating contracts
• Intellectual property is important for anyone in business and Government, not just those developing a new product or process. This presentation will assist council officers in:
  • Identifying and understanding council's intellectual property rights,
  • Ensuring steps that need to be taken to protect a business idea, concept or product as it goes to market or upon engaging consultants or contractors
  • Contract negotiation, when engaging a consultant to develop idea/concept – ie, who owns the idea/concept?
  • Identifying ideas or products already in use that should be protected.

Knowledge Cafe # 4 - Risky Business

• What are the big legal risk issues for a modern business?
• Doing business in a "tech savvy society" brings a whole new range of legal implications and obligations. This café will explore the best practice around contract negotiations and searches to ascertain any risks associated with the other party, social media, databases and other business practices.

This presentation will assist council officers in:

• • Building networks and market a product or business,
  • Expanding operations and establishing new operations,
  • Establishing best practice foundations.

I have already sent out invitations for these presentations however should you wish to attend please contact me.