The WBC Road Trip……

WBC STRATEGIC ALLLIANCE   The national award winning Wellington Blayney & Cabonne Strategic Alliance was formed in 2003, with Central Tablelands Water County Council joining the Alliance in 2005. The Alliance is a voluntary cooperative model, formed in response to the local government reform agenda. Collectively the alliance covers an area of 11, 400 sqkm in central NSW, serving some 14, 500 rate payers and employing 430 full time staff. The Alliance has five key goals: Provision of better services to communities expanding local employment building sustainability of the Councils meeting community expectations growing profitability The Key Priorities in the 2008-2010 Management Plan included: Asset Management Strategic Planning GIS Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability HR Strategies for the attraction, retention and development of staff within the Alliance IT Systems and Infrastructure Stores and Procurement

The C.O.R.E Principles for Successful Collaboration We have learnt a great deal about collaboration in the last 6 years. Collaboration cannot occur without having resources, processes and systems in place. It cannot occur without the commitment and willingness of the parties to join together to find new solutions. We have developed the C.O.R.E principles approach to support collaboration and achieve valuable outcomes for the member Councils.   The WBC Alliance C.O.R.E. principles are: C – COMMUNICATION knowing who, how and when we need to communicate with O – OPPORTUNITY AND ORDER identifying opportunities for collaboration and having order (or processes) to guide collaborative arrangements R – RESOURCES providing the human and financial resources to support outcomes E – ENTHUSIASM having the leadership and commitment to working collaboratively National Awards Excellence in Local Government Category Winner 2009

Communication what, how, when and to whom…… Some examples of Communication strategies includes: Web conferencing – a great alternative to face to face meetings By introducing new technologies such as web conferencing we can meet without leaving our desk! In the last 12 months we have saved 19 500km’s in travel , $32 500 (or 32 DAYS) in wages for the travel time. We have also saved 3.9 metric tons of CO2 by not driving our cars! Establishment of WBC website – a shared web page which provides a platform for sharing of documents, storing commonly developed and adopted documents, communicating and promoting the Alliance. Formalising a communication strategy which identifies who, how and when we need to communicate our collaborative initiatives and outcomes Newsletters, media releases, Board meetings, Professional Teams meetings, project team meetings..........

Structure, processes, governance, Opportunity & Order Structure, processes, governance, chances to explore……

the stuff you need for a successful trip Resources the stuff you need for a successful trip Engagement of a WBC Project Officer skilled in project management, organisational development and continuous improvement. Shared Principal Strategic Planner for development of common regional LEP and the councils specific LEP’s and planning instruments Shared heritage officer Plans for a shared GIS officer Partnership with TAFE NSW Western Institute to secure $50k in funding to support development of staff in project management Joint applications for climate change, environmental sustainability - $50k for Urban sustainability plans Successfully secured funding for joint family day care service and after school care A financial commitment from all member councils to support collaborative projects/initiatives Providing staff release time to participate in projects/collaborations successful traineeship and apprenticeship program with a target of 5% workforce which was exceeded in 2007 with 8% of alliance workforce being apprentices/trainees Joint funding of three scholarships in the areas of Urban Planning, Financial Management and Engineering with the students doing work experience in each of the councils during their Uni holidays Sharing of staff if a council is in need eg if staff become sick, or leave etc the other member councils can help out Secured $155k in funding through joint application from DEWR for 34 training places from Cert III to Diploma level across a range of qualifications including IT, Accounting, Engineering, Health and Building, Project management and operations.  

Enthusiasm leadership, common direction and……knowing the way Quarterly WBC Board Meetings – the Board is represented by the Mayors, Deputy Mayors and General Managers so there is a regular opportunity for engagement and strategy discussions. Celebration of successes and acknowledgement of staff contributions – we were the National Winner of the National Awards for Local Government in 2004, category winner for collaboration in 2009 and have also received highly commended in the Local Government Managers Association Awards in 2009. We have had a case study of our alliance promoted through a UK website promoting local government reform – check it out at www.8020i.uk bi monthly Professional Team meetings (all Directors and General Managers) Strong leadership by the General Managers to the Alliance – monthly meetings with Project Officer and preparedness to provide resources to achieve outcomes. Introduced the “Alliance Project Challenge” which is an annual program where teams can submit for their projects for judging and win an award – and a prize! In 2009 the Moody Blues Project team developed the Internal Audit User Guide. The team members one gift vouchers to the value of $250 for wotif. Great way to reward, recognise, engage and celebrate.

What we have achieved? 8 years as an Alliance with continuing strength and commitment Over $4 million in savings and efficiencies 55 collaborative projects completed Successful joint funding applications 2 new shared positions Joint tenders - the IT project -$400 000 savings

Infrastructure and Assets Achievements? Joint project for the initial design of asset plan framework and templates – estimated saving of $90k over 2 years by joint engagement of consultant (started in 2007) Common Engineering Guidelines – consistent approach to engineering design (including generic set of drawings) Standard Conditions of Consent – combined with Environmental Health staff to develop common consent document – reduced from over 900 in use to 280!

What we have achieved? New project for standard Development Control Plans Joint plant purchasing (new project just commencing to review how we manage fleet and if it could be centralised) “Mates rates”for use of plant……. Use of neighboring outdoor crews on boundary road maintenance Joint training on grader operation, project management

What we have achieved? Use of internal expertise from one council for Environmental Management Plans and on-site assessments Internal expert trainer for WH&S and tickets/certificates Joint project for development of Integrated Water Cycle Management Plans – saved $164k by joint engagement of consultants RTA Single Invitation Contract on behalf of the member councils……..saved $275k in 08/09

So, where next? Shared Service Model –Developing Business Case for a shared service model for “niche” functions….. Fleet Management Food Shop Inspections Trade Waste New Governance Model……..can’t move to shared services without it Implementation of new and upgraded IT systems and streamlined business processing

Don’t forget to celebrate along the way – acknowledge the efforts and achievements

For more information: Contact Donna Galvin, Executive Manager donna.galvin@cabonne.nsw.gov.au Or check out the website at: www.wbcalliance.nsw.gov.au