Civil defence tops shared services list

Civil defence and emergency management is being flagged as the top priority for a proposal to set up a shared services organisation between Hawke's Bay's five councils.

Hawke's Bay Regional Council said it supported a plan - put forward by Hastings District Council asking for public feedback through its long-term plan - on setting up a local authority shared service organisation or a "Hawke's Bay LASS".

But the regional council wanted to consider more information before committing to the project while Napier city, Wairoa and Central Hawke's Bay district councils had indicated they wanted to be involved.

The regional council said the most significant joint service Hawke's Bay councils could have was civil defence and it was looking for a commitment from Hastings and Napier to make sure it featured highly in any moves to set up a LASS.

Regional council external relations manager Liz Lambert said the council had the responsibility of regional civil defence and it employed three people as part of its emergency management team.

"We appointed Ian Macdonald from the Hastings District Council as the emergency management controller for the region," Ms Lambert said. "We are funding that position as well as a part-time position in Central Hawke's Bay and another in Wairoa. Those people are all based at their local councils.

"Last year we also started a complete outfit of the emergency management headquarters which is next to the Hastings council and that's nearly ready to go," Ms Lambert said.

She said the regional council wanted a commitment from Hastings and Napier which reflected a more co-ordinated approach to emergency management. "We haven't quite got there yet. That's a classic example of shared services but one that's not yet fulfilled its potential."

She said while there were some common services, such as payroll, rates, and valuations between regional, district and city councils, there were other "functions" which were unique to regional councils. "Some of our front office activities includes work like science and biosecurity, public transport, things we do and other councils don't. So we are looking at opportunities to share those types of services with other regional councils in the North Island as well as the Department of Conservation."