Views wanted on council performance

The public consultation phase of Gosford Council's wide-ranging management audit conducted by consultants KPMG will get under way this week.

A public forum will be held at Ettalong Senior Citizens Centre at 7pm on Wednesday, January 24.

Gosford Council's general manager Mr Peter Wilson announced last Friday that the public consultation phase would start this week.

"Council is looking at ways to improve service delivery and is asking the community to have its say in the process.

"Residents can participate in street surveys, ring a special hotline or attend one of the public forums," he said.

"From this Monday, January 15, through until Friday, January 19, we'll be conducting street surveys at various locations in the City of Gosford."

Next week, from Monday to Thursday, January 22 to 25, people can telephone the "hotline" 4325 8193 from 8am until 1pm each day "to discuss Council's service delivery".

Other public forums will be held at Niagara Park Community Centre on January 23 and at Studio 1, Gosford Arts Centre at East Gosford on January 25.

"The survey and forums seek people's views on Council services and how well they think these services are being delivered.

"Council is keen to find out community responses, so together we can make a difference," said Mr Wilson.

Prime mover behind the audit, Cr Lynne Bockholt has said: "Council is determined to ensure wide community involvement in the audit.

"Everyone will have the opportunity to participate in these sessions and I encourage all ratepayers to come along and have your say in the future of your council."

It is understood that representatives of a number of community groups have already met privately with the auditors.

January 12