Council Realigns Work Groups
3 August 2011
Realigning key areas of work to better meet the future needs of Hamilton city is the driver behind Hamilton City
Council’s group reorganisation.
Taking effect from 8 August, and announced today (3 August), the changes see Council’s work organised into seven key
areas which better reflect the city’s challenges ahead as well as working towards a financially sustainable future.
The key changes are taking place at the senior management levels with a reorganisation of existing work and some changes
in reporting lines. All Council staff have retained their jobs.
Initiated by Chief Executive Barry Harris, the aim is to create an organisation which is more customer focussed,
innovative, and forward thinking along with being open to opportunities for efficiencies and revenue and focus on
enhancing economic activity in the city.
“Our challenge is to find improved ways of delivering what the residents of Hamilton expect from us, and the structure
of how we work needs to support these strategies and goals now and into the future.
“I am looking to my new Senior Leadership Team to play a key role as we move forward, including looking closely within
their own group for opportunities to do things better.
“This is an exciting time to be part of Council and with this solid and well thought out foundation on which to work
from I know our hard working and dedicated team of staff will be well placed to take the city to a higher level.”
The seven new groups and Group Managers are: Performance Deputy Chief Executive Blair Bowcott; Customer Relationships –
To be recruited, Blair Bowcott Acting; Organisational Development – To be recruited, Chris Sidwell Acting; Events and
Economic Development – To be recruited, Lance Vervoort Acting; City Planning Brian Croad; Community – Lance Vervoort;
City Infrastructure – Chris Allen.
Recruitment for the three vacant General Manager positions will commence from 15 August.
Hamilton City Council employs around 1400 people and has an annual budget of around $250 million.
ENDS