One-stop shop but no full council amalgamation on SoRDs’ agenda
A regional development team wants Southland’s four councils to create a ‘‘one-stop shop environmental agency’’ but says total amalgamation is not on the cards.
The Southland Regional Development Strategy Ease of Doing Business action team has proposed a ‘‘One Stop Shop Environmental Agency’’ for environment-related approvals dealt with by the Invercargill City, Southland District, and Gore District councils, along with Environment Southland.
Proposed shared services include building, liquor, environmental health and animal control.
SoRDs Ease of Doing Business action team leader Steve Ruru, who is also chief executive of the Southland District Council, said shared services would make regulatory services consistent in Southland.
The action team had constructed a ‘‘straw man’’ – a plan on how the four councils could combine regulatory services, Ruru said.
‘‘We are focusing on regional processes and other issues that affect how easy it is to do business.
‘‘The whole concept of shared services and councils working together is something Southland has done very well in the past.’’
Southland councils have a joint committee called Shared Services. This committee has been meeting regularly since it was formed in 2000.
Southland’s local authorities already share WasteNet, Regional Emergency Management, and Venture Southland.
On a recent visit to Southland the Minister of Local Government Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said local authorities should work together on regional development, Ruru said.
Lotu-Iiga said in March council amalgamations were possible under new local government reforms, called Better Local Services.
The Better Local Services reform gave councils the new ability to reorganise services, in consultation with their communities.
Ruru did not believe the move to shared services was a step towards council amalgamation in Southland.
‘‘It is incredibly important that we preserve the local democracy, and this [shared services] is very consistent with national views.’’
Southland Regional Develop- ment Strategy governance group chair Tom Campbell said the strategy was not chasing council amalgamation.
‘‘This is quite simply the role that Steve’s team has, to make Southland the easiest place in New Zealand to do business.’’
At present, those in Southland worked across four different councils, Campbell said.
He said the purpose of the business action team was to get councils to work together.
Campbell said he had not yet seen Ruru’s ease of doing business presentation.
‘‘What they [the ease of doing business team] want to come from that will be, I don’t know at this point, but I haven’t heard anyone suggest amalgamation at this point.’’
Gore District Council chief executive Steve Parry said he did not think shared services was a step towards amalgamation.
‘‘In terms of shared use it’s a good idea. As it’s all about trying to meet the needs of the customer.’’
Parry said he was very supportive of shared services.
There was no reason why services, such as building consents could not be standardised across Southland, Parry said.
‘‘To get all our processes in alignment it’s best to aim for a united approach.’’
Invercargill City Council deputy mayor Darren Ludlow said while amalgamation was not a cost-effective option for the councils, shared services would be.
‘‘Having a one stop shop, as Steve Ruru was talking about in the presentation, was really good,’’ he said.
‘‘I believe that shared service is absolutely something that councils need to consider.’’
Ludlow said shared services could be achievable within one year.
Some services could also be provided online for ease of use, Ludlow said.
Environment Southland chair Ali Timms said she supported the shared services proposed by the action team.
‘‘We can work more effectively and more efficiently.
‘‘If it can make it more streamlined then I am all for that.’’
She did not believe the shared services were a step towards amalgamation. Councils did not need it at present, Timms said.
‘‘If you think council amalgamation is the answer, then what is the problem?’’