Recordkeeping in council-controlled organisations: An investigation into local body involvement and the implementation of formal recordkeeping programmes
In New Zealand council--‐controlled organisations (CCOs) play an important role in the conduct of local government’s affairs, and in recognition of this they are subject to the Public Records Act 2005. The purpose of the study is to investigate the extent to which local bodies are involved in CCO recordkeeping programmes, the motivations for and barriers to their involvement, and whether formal recordkeeping programmes are being implemented in CCOs. The study used an online questionnaire to collect data from CCOs and staff overseeing recordkeeping in local bodies. The results show that though some local bodies take part in CCO recordkeeping programmes, involvement is often occasional and not necessarily grounded in a formal agreement. In some cases perceptions about the status of CCOs apparently drive involvement, while a lack of guidance, decision--‐making and resources can inhibit participation. Small CCOs in the completed sample did not show strong signs of having implemented formal recordkeeping programmes, but due to the response rate this finding cannot be generalised to all CCOs. The study brings attention to previously undocumented issues with CCO recordkeeping, and presents the case that CCOs and local body recordkeepers are in need of appropriate advisory support. There is still much that is unknown about CCOs’ attitudes to toward their legal recordkeeping obligations, the barriers they face to implementing formal recordkeeping programmes, and the assistance they require.