2015/16

A list of our work produced between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016.
District health boards’ response to asset management requirements since 2009

June 2016: We found that standard asset management practices, like knowing, monitoring and reporting on the condition and performance of assets and having integrated asset, service, and financial plans do not seem to be standard practice for more than half of DHBs. We also found that, since 2009, fewer than half of DHBs showed indicators of asset spending and building up money to pay for future assets at levels we think characterise good financial and asset management.

Crown Fibre Holdings Limited: Managing the first phase of rolling out ultra-fast broadband

June 2016: Crown Fibre has managed commercial partner rollout performance effectively, and has implemented a testing programme to assure quality. The proportion of the network that has been built and passed the quality testing programme so far is ahead of schedule and the first phase of the roll-out looks likely to be delivered on time and within budget by December 2019. The network looks likely to meet all of the targets set by the Government.

Home-based support services for older people: Follow-up audit

June 2016: The Ministry’s progress in implementing national home-care quality indicators has been slow and it is currently working to produce a better set of indicators. The Ministry has strengthened infrastructure that should help it to better collect and use performance information to monitor the quality of home-care once national indicators are in place.

Collecting and using information about suicide

June 2016: Public agencies collect and use some information well to help them support those affected by suicide and find ways to prevent it. For example, reliable and detailed mortality statistics are kept on suicides and there is a rapid advice system in place for coroners to tell district health boards about suspected suicides in their area.

Energy sector: Results of the 2014/15 audits

June 2016: Most companies in the energy sector, such as electricity distribution businesses, are monopolies and are subject to regulation. We are often told that the regulations are complex and require significant effort to ensure staff understand the detail of the regulations. It is also important that auditors have a good understanding of the regulations. Some electricity distribution businesses have made, or are planning to make, investments seeking revenue from sources beyond their core business, for example investment in telecommunications fibre networks and commercial property. The governors of these businesses need to be cautious and undertake appropriate due diligence so they fully understand the risks of their potential investments.

Annual Plan 2016/17

June 2016: The Annual Plan 2016/17 sets out our proposed work programme for 2016/17. Our 2016/17 Information theme reflects the increasing importance of information to the effective and efficient delivery of public services now and in the future.