257 annual report 2013 / 2014 Other Information This section contains the statement on enhancing Maori Capacity to Contribute to Decision-Making and a statement on Shared Services. other information COUNCIL VISION Creating an exciting, innovative, safe, caring and friendly City offering lifestyles based on a healthy environment and diverse growing economy. 258 Maori Capacity to Contribute to Decision Making The Invercargill City Council has an ongoing Government Act 2002 through Te Roopu Taiao, the relationship with Maori, which sets the basis Iwi – Council representative group (a management for Maori contribution. group made up of elected representatives from the councils and Maori representatives). To strengthen and develop that relationship, the Invercargill City Council (together with the other Maori capacity was enhanced by consultation and three local authorities in the Southland region, discussion on the following matters in 2013/14: namely Environment Southland, Gore District Council • District Plan Review. and Southland District Council) has established and signed the charter of understanding, He Huarahi mo • 2014/15 Annual Plan. Nga Uri Whakatapu (A Pathway for the Generation • Monthly meeting with members of the Coming Through). Executive Leadership Team. The charter of understanding was revised to incorporate the wider responsibilities under the Local 259 annual report 2013 / 2014 Working Together - Shared Services BUILDING CONTROL In 2013/2014 there was a high demand for public education talks from various interest groups and The Shared Services Forum requested the several business continuity workshops were delivered progression of a combined Building Control Shared in conjunction with the NZ Fire Service. EMS also Service between the three Southland TLAs who attended the Southern Field-days at Waimumu in currently provide this service under the Building Act conjunction with the Southland Rural Support Trust. 2004 - being Invercargill City, Southland District and Gore District Councils. Clutha District Council also opted to participate in this initiative. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY A project team of staff from the four councils was Over the past 12 months the IT Shared Services established and has made some very good progress. Operations Sub-Committee has undertaken a number Two key milestones were achieved during the of activities that aim to provide services and activities 2013/2014 year. The first of these milestones was between the member Councils. the development of a combined Process and Quality Three work streams were identified - network Manual which the four Councils have adopted and are consolidation and integration, shared service desk implementing. This standardises consent processing implementation and disaster recovery and business methodology and quality assurance measures across continuity. These three streams will ultimately the four councils. The second milestone was the provide the Councils with an environment that will standardisation of the 16 types of application forms easily, and in a controlled manner, support the wider required by the Building Act 2004. An IANZ approved requirements that are been investigated. auditor has been closely involved throughout this process, to ensure any changes made will meet IANZ requirements. The Shared Services Forum also agreed that this project would be progressed by IWI LIAISON process of evolution, rather than by combining all All four Southland councils have continued to fund staff into one new entity from the outset. and support Te Ao Marama, the agency approved by Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu to act on iwi liaison matters in Murihiku/ Southland under the Resource EMERGENCY MANAGMENT Management Act 1991 and the Local Government Act Emergency Management Southland (EMS) is a shared 2002. Since its inception, Queenstown Lakes District service between Invercargill City Council, Southland Council, Otago Regional Council and Clutha District District Council, Environment Southland and Gore Council have also joined Te Ao Marama. The papatipu District Council. It focuses on ensuring communities runanga and the participant councils continue to are prepared for emergencies and that they are able meet quarterly at the Te Roopu Taiao hui, which to respond to and recover from these when they do provides for excellent partnership and exchange of happen. Specific actions include public education and information. A key focus in 2013/2014 has been to ensuring a pool of trained personnel. other information 260 give these meetings more of a strategic focus and Team Fire Station, which was opened on 5 December. less focus on day to day operational and retrospective Another key project was the development of a public reporting. fire danger web page, which is updated hourly. LIBRARY CONSORTIUM VENTURE SOUTHLAND The partners in the SouthLib Consortium have The 2013/2014 year has been one of challenges, continued to share a range of services during 2013/14. opportunities and ongoing improvements benefiting These include the Symphony Library Management the region and Southland communities. Venture system which allows access to the complete Southland’s work can be measured on results that catalogues of Dunedin and Invercargill City Libraries have been achieved, experiences gained, meeting and Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago and Southland visitor expectations, economic development, District Libraries for all residents. Reciprocal community engagement, events and festivals membership is available at all libraries from Waitaki attended, and new technologies or management south for any resident of those local authorities. training principles delivered. Training & Professional Development is at the International and regional exposure was critical forefront of SouthLib activities as this reduces costs, to ensuring Southland benefitted from a growing allows access to national and international speakers, economy through direct export earnings, new jobs, and offers benchmarking opportunities, which would education and local initiatives such as the Canterbury potentially be outside the scope of a single authority. South Strategy which involves Southland companies This also allows for networking and support for staff in the Christchurch rebuild. Venture Southland has who often work in isolation. received tremendous feedback from the community and stakeholders for initiatives such as the Business Mentor programme, Lean Management programme, RURAL FIRE Southland Festival of the Arts, ILT Kidzone, A major initiative which has gone beyond the The Burt Munro Challenge and Education Southland Southern Rural Fire Authority was formed on international student marketing programme. 7 August 2003 and amalgamated the rural fire responsibilities of Southland District Council, Gore District Council, Invercargill City Council, Southern WASTENET Plantations Rural Fire Authority and Department of Council is part of WasteNet, a shared services Conservation Southland Conservancy. In total, about arrangement between Invercargill City Council, Gore 3.5 million hectares or one eighth of the land area District Council and Southland District Council, which of New Zealand is within the Southern Rural Fire actively promotes and advocates waste minimisation Authority. initiatives. Through WasteNet, Council provided a kerbside collection for rubbish and recycling in urban This year, the authority has been involved in the areas of Invercargill, and provided waste transfer setting up of a Milford Sound Emergency Response stations, recycling services, and greenwaste sites..