Is your committee getting bogged down in detail at strata committee meetings? A strata sub-committee might be the answer to share the work-load, tap into the expertise, energy and enthusiasm of other residents and focus on the detail of particular issues or projects?
The purpose of a sub-committee is to assist the strata committee in developing and delivering outcomes for the owners corporation.
It is common practice for the owners corporation to set-up strata sub-committees or working parties to tackle, as a smaller group, particular issues or projects in greater detail.
It is important to state that a sub-committee does not constitute a delegation of authority and the strata committee has the final responsibility for all decisions. Sub-committees are advisory bodies only.
Why have a strata sub-committee?
Many owners corporations use sub-committees to assist and spread the work-load. Sub-committees allow you to tap into the expertise of other individuals that aren’t on the strata committee but can provide valuable assistance. There are often people within a strata scheme willing to work on specific projects or areas. Why not utilise the expertise of the resident landscaper on the next gardening project.
Strata sub-committees;
- promote good governance and inclusiveness
- give people with a specific interest a voice
- allow detailed information to be gathered and digested
- allow the strata committee to make informed decisions
What does a strata sub-committee do?
- Gather information and data
- Seek and present specialist advice
- Arrange inspections or quotes
- Developing tender specifications
- Provide recommendations to the strata committee
Example of strata sub-committees
A sub-committee can be established for any area of owners corporation business.
Examples:
- By-law review
- Renovations Committee
- Social Committee
- Special Project Committee (for example, new infrastructure)
Setting up a Strata Sub-committee
For a sub-committee to succeed it should have a defined structure. Each sub-committee should have clear terms of reference, agreed to by the strata committee, and reviewed regularly.
A sub-committee structure includes:
- Purpose/Objective – what is the general purpose and the objectives of the sub-committee
- Responsibilities – what is the strata sub-committee responsible for?
- Budget – is there an allocated budget for the project?
- Length of term – is the project ongoing or a set period
- Members – who is on the committee and who will chair the sub-committee. Each sub-committee should have at least one strata committee member even if that person is there in an advisory role and to communicate progress to the strata committee
- Reporting – each meeting of the sub-committee should be minuted and shared with the strata committee
