Mandate of the Auditor General for Local Government

 SURREY– Getting the most value for money will be easier for local governments now that the Province is introducing legislation to establish an Office of the Auditor General for Local Government (AGLG), announced Premier Christy Clark today. “This office will support the goals of the Families First Agenda by strengthening local government accountability and ensuring B.C. families receive the best possible return on investment for their taxpayer dollars,” said Premier Clark. “Enhanced stewardship of assets and service delivery means a better quality of life for British Columbians and that’s what we’re aiming for.” The primary purpose of the AGLG would be to help local governments find efficiencies in spending and improve program effectiveness by providing neutral, non-binding advice. The AGLG’s role has been designed to maximize value for money by undertaking performance audits and providing information to assist local governments in choosing how best to respond to their communities’ priorities. Like all auditors general, the AGLG would make recommendations for improvements, not impose solutions. It will be up to local governments to decide what action to take on any recommendations provided by the AGLG. Local governments’ ability to make policy decisions about taxation, land use and other services would not be restricted. (more)

  

AuditorGeneral for Local Government:

The Auditor General for Local Government Act (the Act), provides that the Auditor General for Local Government’s (AGLG) core mandate is to:

·         Conduct performance audits (also called “value-for-money” audits) in order to provide local governments with objective information and advice on achieving efficiencies in local government operations.

·         Provide recommendations to the audited local government in the form of public reports.

·         Issue recommended practices arising from performance audits.

Performance audits would:

·         Investigate questions such as whether a service is undertaken as economically and efficiently as possible, whether a service is effective in achieving its intended results, and whether local governments are sufficiently monitoring their operations.

·         Examine a specific local government operation – not the entirety of its operations.

A number of performance audits would be undertaken each year.

Performance audits would not:

·         Call into question the merits of policy decisions or objectives of a local government.

The Act provides that the AGLG has scope to conduct performance audits of:

·         Any municipality or regional district.

·         The two boards providing water and sewerage/drainage services in Metro Vancouver.

·         Corporations or other entities controlled by these local government bodies.

More local government bodies, such as the Islands Trust, could be added in the future through a regulation. (more)

  

Budget:

 The Act provides that the Office of the AGLG is to be provincially funded. The AGLG would receive a salary comparable to those with similar roles in the B.C. government and to municipal auditors general in other provinces. The Audit Council members would be paid per-meeting at a rate comparable to other board appointees.