Armidale to pursue new relationship with Guyra
Armidale Dumaresq Council has voted to enter into an agreement in principle with Guyra Shire Council to establish a single executive structure for the two Councils, resulting in a single General Manager and Executive Management Team.
The two Councils will maintain autonomous status in terms of locally elected Councillors representing their respective communities, however the single General Manager will be accountable for the management of operations and the delivery of services for both Councils in a bid to reduce duplication and ensure efficiencies.
Following the withdrawal of Walcha Council and then Uralla Shire Council from the New England Strategic Alliance (NESAC), the Deputy Director General of the Department of Local Government, Mr Ross Woodward, wrote to the four Councils of the Alliance requesting the Councils reconsider decisions made to not use shared services as the primary means of delivering Local Government services in the New England region.
The letter prompted a meeting between Armidale Dumaresq Council and Guyra Shire Council on September 24. Arising from this meeting was the commitment from both Councils to pursue a new partnership together in order to deliver the reforms requested by the State Government and provide economic gains for the local communities and the region.
"Armidale Dumaresq Council has always been committed to reform and improving services to the Alliance community," Armidale Dumaresq Council's General Manager Shane Burns said. "The Council's position remains focused on structural reform through a combined operations under one management structure and re-defining of operations.
Mr Burns said the two Councils had agreed to work through the details of such an arrangement at a series of workshops, and if an agreement reached, a submission sent to the Department of Local Government prior to the required submission deadline of late October 2009.
Armidale Dumaresq Mayor Cr Peter Ducat said "The Council accepts it needs to show regional leadership and is committed to fostering reform options that will give mutual benefit to Councils within an alliance. To this end, Guyra Shire and Armidale Dumaresq Councils have agreed in principle to foster closer relationships, with the view to operating under a single management structure."
For further information contact Shane Burns on 6770 3822 or Cr Peter Ducat on 0428 669 866.
Contact details
Shane Burns
Tel: 02 6770 3822
council@armidale.nsw.gov.au
