Committees
1. Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
2. Representative Committee
3. Policy and Planning Committee
Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
The Board, through the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, is responsible for ensuring there are adequate policies in relation to risk management, compliance and internal control systems. These policies are available on the company website. Overall, the company policies are designed to ensure strategic, operational, legal, reputation and financial risks are identified, assessed, effectively and efficiently managed and monitored to enable achievement of the company’s business objectives and its responsibilities to the community at large.
It is important to note that whilst Financial risk is monitored, there are other risks that are handled and administered from a policy perspective. In this respect, the Policy and Planning Committee mitigates risks such as Residential Tenancy Act issues, ensuring compliance as well as striving for best practice under the National Community Housing Standards (NCHS).
Specifically, the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee consists of the following Directors:
- Mr Mark Lipson (Chairperson)
- Mr Graeme Austin
- Mr Tim Chatfield
- Dr Owen Donald
The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee have appropriate financial expertise and all members are financially literate and have an appropriate understanding of the housing sector. The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee operates in accordance with a charter which is available on the company website. The main responsibilities of the Committee are to:
- Monitor any matters outstanding with Auditors, Australian Taxation Office, Australian Securities and Investment Commission and financial institutions and monitor complaints with the Corporations Act 2001;
- Monitor corporate risk assessment and internal controls;
- Review and monitor compliance with the company’s Auditor Independence Policy;
- Liaise with external auditors;
- Review the annual audit plan with the auditors;
- Review information derived from the audit;
- Review interim financial information;
- Review accounting policies;
- Monitor risks relating to business continuity, disaster recovery and reputation;
- Review compliance with relevant Government regulations;
- Assess the performance of financial management;
- Review adequacy of insurance coverage;
- Recommend to the Board, the appointment, re-appointment or replacement of the external auditors;
- Review performance and compensation of the external auditors; and
- Supervise special investigations as directed by the Board.
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee:
- Received regular reports from management and the external auditors;
- Meets with the external auditors at least once per year or more frequently if necessary;
- Reviews the processes the CEO and Finance Manager have in place to support their certifications to the Board;
- Reviews any significant disagreements between the auditors and management, irrespective of whether they have been resolved; and
- Provides the external auditors with a clear line of direct communication at any time to either the Chairperson of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee or the Chairperson of the Board.
The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee has authority, within the scope of its responsibilities, to seek any information it requires from any employee or external party.
Representative Committee
As AHV moves from an advisory role to tenancy management, the organisation is committed to ensuring that tenants are informed of such changes.
This process will take place by a variety of means including tenant newsletters, tenant letters, forums and telephone contacts. AHV has also established a Representative Committee to consult with tenants and applicants of the organisation and provide opportunities to participate in the decision-making processes. This will be facilitated by convening Community Relations Forums. Each Representative Committee Member is elected by the community and will be the link between the Aboriginal Community, the staff and Board of Directors of AHV.
The Representative Committee Membership consists of eight Representative Members. The current members of the Representative Committee are:
| Southern Metropolitan Region |
Pat Ockwell
|
| Northern / Eastern Metropolitan Region |
Gary (Gilla)
McGuiness |
| Hume Region |
Rex Atkinson
|
| Loddon Mallee Region |
VACANT
|
| Grampians Region |
Brendan
Edwards |
| Barwon South-West Region |
Joey
Chatfield |
| Western Metropolitan Region |
Shaun
Braybrook |
There are current vacancies on the Representative Committee for the Barwon South West region, Gippsland region, Western Metropolitan region and Grampians region. The benefit of this proposal is to add further community support to the organisation and it’s activities for transition to ownership and implement formal processes for real community engagement and feedback.
Policy and Planning Committee
The purpose of the Policy and Planning Committee shall be to support and enhance the Boards Governance role in regards to policy-making and planning and reviewing the implementation of all policies and the organisation’s strategic plan.
Specifically to Policy the committee’s role is to:
1. assist in the development of policy that is;
-
culturally appropriate
-
consistent
-
fair
-
transparent
-
implementable
-
accountable
-
financially viable
-
manageable
2. ensure an ongoing policy review process
3. ensure the Board of Directors statutory obligations are reflected in AHV policy
4. ensure the Board of Directors funding obligations and financial constraints are reflected in AHV policy
5. ensure the Board of Directors contractual obligations are reflected in AHV policy
6. ensure community consultations are undertaken regarding policy development when relevant/appropriate
7. develop strategies for new policies and monitor and review their implementation
Specifically to Planning the committee’s role is to:
1. identify and prioritise organisational planning requirements
2. advise the Board of Directors on planning activities for the organisation as a whole, and monitor process and progress in Board-endorsed plans
The Board of Directors are to review the performance of the Policy and Planning Committee annually. | 
