4. WBC STRATEGIC ALLLIANCE

5. The C.O.R.E Principles for Successful Collaboration National Awards Excellence in Local Government Category Winner 2009

6. C ommunica tion what, how, when and to whom……

7. C ommunicati on Promote activities and achievements – newsletters, emails, annual report, monthly report to councils, bi-annual presentations to councils, website, media releases Communication methods – web conferencing, teleconferencing, face to face off site, Networking – annual forum, project team meetings shared around venues, connecting work teams and people, 2 monthly Professional Team meetings (all Directors and GM’s), shared training

8. Opportunity & Order Structure, processes, governance, chances to explore……

9. O pport unity - staff involved in project teams Build it and they will come.....provide venue, make it easy for them to get together..........feed them! Identify areas of expertise and exploit them! O rder Governance of Alliance – MOU, Board structure, decision making, reporting Processes for managing finances – bit messy but it works! Project Management principles applied Accountability

10. Resources & Relationship s the stuff you need & Who you are travelling with....

11. R ESOURCES Money to do things People to do things Time to do things – staff released to do project work My position to make sure things get done – focussed wholly on the Alliance R ELATIONSHIP S Pick your partners well – similar size/challenges/ demographic Manage relationships – nurture, support, communicate Manage ego’s and personalities and the “protection of their own patch”

12. Enthusias m leadership, common direction and……knowing the way

13. Enthusiasm Strong leadership – Board of Mayors, Deputy Mayors and General Managers Willingness to work together – at all levels Demonstrated outcomes keep people interested Management Plan to give direction Promotion of activities Dedicated resources (such as my position)

14. What we have achieved? 9 years as an Alliance with continuing strength and commitment Over $4 million in savings and efficiencies 55 collaborative projects completed Successful joint funding applications 2 shared positions

15. Achievements ? - Joint Tender and then purchase of IT Corporate Software – saving of $420k (on price, management of tender, legal fees etc) - Over last 4 years collective grant funding of over $400k (training, planning, water planning) - Worked together to develop Integrated Planning and Reporting plans (joint engagement of consultant saved $42k)

16. Achievements ? Joint project for the initial design of asset plan framework and templates – estimated saving of $90k over 2 years by joint engagement of consultant (started in 2007) Common Engineering Guidelines – consistent approach to engineering design (including generic set of drawings) Standard Conditions of Consent – combined with Environmental Health staff to develop common consent document – reduced from over 900 in use to 280!

17. Achievements ? New project for standard Development Control Plans Joint plant purchasing (new project just commencing to review how we manage fleet and if it could be centralised) “Mates rates”for use of plant……. Use of neighboring outdoor crews on boundary road maintenance Joint training

18. So, where next ?  Shared Service Model –Developing Business Case for a shared service model for “niche” functions…..  Fleet Management  Food Shop Inspections  Trade Waste  New Governance Model……..can’t move to shared services without it  Implementation of new and upgraded IT systems and streamlined business processing

19. So, where next ? Destination 2036 Reform Agenda in NSW – significant change expected……….we are currently working on how we will “look” individually or collectively into the future Can a voluntary cooperative model carry us through? Do we need to corporatize? Is shared administration or services a solution ? How does the Alliance support the sustainability of the individual member councils?

20. My top tips for a successful road trip Give time and consideration to the C.O.R.E Principles Communicate Order and opportunity Resources and relationships Enthusiasm Pick your partners carefully Don’t be afraid to ask for directions if you get lost

21. And......don’t forget to celebrate along the way – acknowledge the efforts and achievements..........like now... at the end of a long day.

22. For more information: Contact Donna Galvin, Executive Manager donna.galvin@cabonne.nsw.gov.au Or check out the website at: www.wbcalliance.nsw.gov.au