SWDC endorse shared CE services arrangement with Waikato District
The South Waikato District Council has endorsed a proposed arrangement with Waikato District Council to share the services of Chief Executive Susan Law on a short-term basis.
With both councils already working together as joint signatories on the Western Waikato Unitary Authority proposal, which was submitted under the Government's Head Start Pathway, the shared leadership arrangement is viewed as an opportunity to further develop and strengthen working relationships and achieve cost efficiencies between the two organisations.
South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley said his willingness to consider exploring such an approach comes down to the confidence he has in his council's leadership team and staff.
"I wouldn't have thought twice about looking at sharing such a crucial service if I thought it wouldn't be a good thing for our District," he said.
"We are in a good place as a council, and we have the structure and personnel in place to make this work. I have full confidence both in Ms Law's ability to manage the dual roles, and in our Executive Leadership Team's ability to keep driving us in the right direction.
"There will be a clear cost saving for us through a portion of the CE's salary being covered by Waikato District Council, and I see a number of positive outcomes that will come from a closer working relationship with them as well."
Ms Law added that it was an opportunity for both councils to achieve greater efficiencies through partnership, collaboration and shared services, which the Government has instructed all councils to investigate.
“This is a pragmatic approach. It's a clear sign that both councils are seeking ways to work more efficiently, and that we want to be part of shaping future solutions for how we operate.
"While arrangements like this aren't commonplace in local government right now, shared services of all types are being explored across the country – this is simply an example of it in action."
Waikato District Mayor Aksel Bech added: "We’re taking back the pen from central government and writing our own future," he said.
“When faced with the challenge of appointing a Chief Executive, we didn't have to start from scratch. Head Start was an incredibly useful exercise that brought mayors, chief executives and council staff together to test ideas and identify opportunities.
"We discovered strong alignment with our neighbouring councils, particularly South Waikato. There is a natural fit in how we think, which gives us confidence this can succeed.”
Having endorsed further development of the shared service arrangement at its 29 October meeting, South Waikato District Council will now report the finalised Heads of Agreement to Elected Members at a later date.
