In 1992 when Tasmania was undergoing a restructure process, as an alternative to amalgamating, Kentish and Latrobe Councils in the northwest of the State received Ministerial approval to enter a formal Resource Sharing Agreement.
This led to the integration of the engineering and works programs and building, health and planning being handled on a joint basis. Last year the resignation of the General Manager at Latrobe provided the opportunity for Grant Atkins, General Manager at Kentish, to be appointed to this position for both Councils.
After a successful three month trial, the two Councils have now formalised this arrangement by putting in place a joint five year contract for the General Manager.
This paved the way for a Joint Authority providing all administrative and technical requirements for both Councils. The Joint Authority operates as a contractor to both Councils for both service delivery and project implementation.
Officially coming into being on 1 July this year, the Joint Authority is working in practice already. Set up under Section 38 of the Local Government Act, it is subject to all provisions of the Act.
“The establishment of a Joint Authority provides a role model for Local Government,” said Cr Laurie Connors, Mayor of Kentish. “It is an alternative to amalgamation that clearly provides cost savings yet allows the Councils to retain their own identities.”
Cr Robert Campbell, Mayor of Latrobe, added that the new structure is also geared towards National Competition Policy.
A Management Board, comprising the two Mayors, two other Councillors from each Council and an independent non voting Chairperson, oversees the Joint Authority. The General Manager is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Authority.
The General Manager is supported by three Directors each heading one of three Departments. Corporate Services provides all Finance, IT and general administrative services to both Councils. The Development Services Department handles the regulatory services of planning, building and environmental health. It also draws up specifications and monitors the performance of Business Units.
The Business Unit Department comprised three Business Units containing the day labour staff and covers areas such as water, sewerage, drainage, building maintenance, roads and bridge maintenance and construction, parks, reserves and waste management.
To ensure both communities are equally serviced, the General Manager is located at each Council two days a week, with one day based on demand. Corporate Services is principally at Kentish with the two other Departments at Latrobe. Some staff from each Department are located at the alternative Office to handle specific enquiries relating to their area of responsibility.
The move to the Joint Authority involved all positions being declared vacant with staff being required to reapply for positions. Rationalisation of staff is expected to save around $350,000 per annum across the management of both Councils.
For further information contact Grant Atkins, General Manager, telephone (03) 6426 1041.
