Leadership, management, staffing levels and the delivery of services are some of the priority areas that will be focused on during an operational review of Gunnedah Shire Council.
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Stephen Blackadder, Executive Director of Blackadder Associates, met with staff and councillors yesterday with plans to put forward a series of recommendations aimed at helping council move forward and improve service delivery for the community.
The review was prompted by ratepayers’ concerns about a proposed rate increase to help maintain its asset base.
“We will look at council’s organisational structure, how it is staffed, what the leadership and management is like and how well council provides services in response to what the community wants,” Mr Blackadder said.
“Gunnedah is growing as a town and there are new issues being faced every day.”
Mr Blackadder works with councils across NSW and says the most common areas for improvement centre around leadership from council staff and councillors along with how well the council works with the community and community leaders.
He also said there is always issues with finance.
“Local Government is very restricted in its ability to raise funds. It is also restricted with rate pegging and fees and charges.”
Mr Blackadder said finding ways for councils to cut costs are among the main issues of an organisational review.
He added that he couldn’t compare Gunnedah to any other council or put forward any recommendations just yet, claiming there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
“It’s all custom designed to suit. Every council is different.
“We’ve got to try and get a solution. In the end it is the people that matter.”
Mr Blackadder met with senior management, councillors and Mayor Owen Hasler yesterday, and will return in two weeks time to speak with staff within the office, along with members of the outdoor workforce.
“I want to get a feel for everything,” Mr Blackadder said.
“We will look at the culture of the organisation, how motivated and inspired the staff are, if there are good working relationships and good teamwork.”
The review will also look at how neighbouring councils can work together on a regional basis.
The entire review process is expected to be finished within two months.
