1. Hunter Councils: Fit for purpose?
Presentation to 2016 Future of Local Government National Summit

2. The Hunter: A history of cooperation

3. How we’ve got to where we are
Context
The lingering impact of the change environment of the 1990s
Voluntary structural reform in NSW
Imperative to demonstrate efficiency and effectiveness
Increasing demands on resources and shrinking / constrained revenue

4. Where that led to
“Natural catchment” of shared services
Adoption of a commercial business model open to private as well as public sector so that the businesses would be viable and ultimately self-funding
Elimination of council subsidisation and introduction of either free or subsidised fee for service arrangements for member councils
Introduction of complete contestability in regard to business operations
Geographic expansion, high profile, constant reinvestment and service growth

6. Hunter Records Management

7. The LGTI

8. Environment Services

11. Consultancy Services

13. Eleven LGA “asset owners”
Fourteen LGA members in relation to environmental programs
Twelve LGA members in relation to film and television
Forty council members in regard to Procurement
Over 100 LGA customers in regard to training programs (in four States)
Over 40 LGA clients in regard to records management (many more private sector clients)
40 council clients in regard to legal services
Consultancy advice provided in four states and six overseas countries
Substantial assets. Low debt
Extremely cohesive region.

14. Our Board and Regional Advocacy

16. “Strategic Services Australia”
Fit for the Future
Joint Organisation
“Strategic Services Australia”

17. What changes in our world?
What are the dangers?

18. Strategic Services Australia Limited
Hunter Councils Incorporated
Administration, Finance and Technology
Environment
Screen Hunter
Consultancy Services
Strategic Services Australia Limited
Hunter Records Storage
Regional Procurement
Local Government Training Institute
Leadership and Development Australia
Local Government Legal
Hunter Councils
Regional Advocacy / Government Partnerships
Strategic Services Australia Limited
Hunter Records Management
Regional Procurement
Local Government Training Institute
Leadership and Development Australia
Administration, Finance and Technology
Environment Services including consultancy services
Screen Hunter
Strategic Consultancy Services
Internal Audit / Probity / Risk Management / Investigation Services (Business Services)
Local Government Legal

19. Sharpening of focus through the Joint Organisation
Creation of new accountability mechanisms (essentially a very good thing)
Sharpening of focus through the Joint Organisation

20. Potential increase in competition (not a bad thing)
Potential exacerbation of “being a business” as opposed to “doing what is needed”

21. Potential issues re ownership across regions
Potential changes in ownership mix and owner dynamic through amalgamation
Potential issues re ownership across regions

22. Potential impacts of poor implementation sector wide
Potential freeze in decision making / lack of preparedness to invest / lack of focus in building a future
Potential impacts of poor implementation sector wide
“Contestability”
Conflict of Interest

23. Do we “cash in”?

24. Fit for the Future a missed opportunity What makes a local council?
The digital economy
Fit for the Future a missed opportunity
What makes a local council?