MEDIA RELEASE

High level re-structure proposed

OCTOBER 11, 2013

A high level re-structuring at Kāpiti Coast District Council has been proposed to better position Council for the challenges the organisation will face over the next two to three years.

Chief Executive Pat Dougherty, said he was not satisfied that the current structure was well enough aligned with Council’s impending work programme, especially its ability to focus on shared services and increased regional cooperation.

“I want to ensure we have a clear and simple structure that provides role clarity and clear accountabilities and responsibilities.”

There was always the challenge of regional governance reform “and we continue to work to meet that challenge. However, the more immediate focus on shared services is important and I need to ensure our efforts are focussed on where we can be effective in this area.”

The area with the greatest potential to deliver benefits in shared services was information communications technology and back office functions. “We know that this will primarily affect Corporate Services and Finance so we are going to need a coordinated strategic response from these two work areas to ensure we are well positioned to meet the changes. In doing so, we also need to make sure we achieve our strategic outcomes and provide our organisation with high quality services.”

Five Group Managers currently report to Mr Dougherty. They cover Community Services, Corporate Services, Finance, Infrastructure Services and Strategy & Partnerships.

Under the proposed change, the five positions would be reduced to four with Finance and Corporate Services being combined. A new Group Manager would be responsible for both. This person would have six direct reports covering Finance, Information Management and Technology, Strategic Communications, Democratic Services, Corporate Property, and Customer Services.

The new Group Manager would have overall responsibility for managing the external relationships around shared service discussions and initiatives. If created, Mr Dougherty said the new senior role would also need to provide proactive and strategic input into the direction of the Council.

“While I have started my review by looking at our structure, it will also be important to ensure the new Group Manager drives, builds and models behaviours and working styles that enable us to provide customers (both internal and external) with high quality services, while at the same time representing and progressing Council’s interests during this period of change.”

Consultation is currently open on the proposed changes. A final decision will be announced by October 25.

Both the current Group Manager Finance Warwick Read and Group Manager Corporate Services Bernie Goedhart will not be putting their names forward and have instead decided to resign to pursue options elsewhere. Mr Goedhart’s resignation will take effect today (October 11) and Mr Read’s on October 18.

Mr Read has been with Council for 32 years and Mr Goedhart six years.

Mr Dougherty said both Mr Read and Mr Goedhart had made a considerable contribution to Council and in turn, the community, over the past decade or so. “We need to acknowledge that. Their contribution has been forthright and considerable. However, we also need to be mindful of the challenges we face and the need to represent Council on the new issues and forums emerging. We wish each of them every success in their new ventures.”

ENDS

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