Community at the heart of Future Us transformation

Putting the community at the heart of what it does is driving a major programme of change endorsed by Waipā District Council yesterday.

Future Us is a staged programme to build on what Council does well, respond to community feedback, and make sure Council is ready for the future.

Elected members agreed to take the next step in the Future Us programme, endorsing the development and delivery of the first year of change at its September meeting yesterday morning.

Future Us is a practical plan to make Council easier to deal with, clearer about its priorities and more careful with ratepayers’ money – while making sure it is ready to respond to growth, local government reform and future challenges.

Chief Executive Steph O’Sullivan said she had listened carefully to elected members, Waipā communities, and staff in developing the programme.

“We know there is a lot Council does well, and we want to build on that. We also know there are things we can do better.

“Our residents have told us they want quicker answers and responses and clearer information and confidence that their rates are being spent carefully. We hear that through many mediums including our surveys, at community events and hui, on the phone and online.

“Future Us is our response. It brings together improvements already underway with a focused programme of change to make Council more responsive, adaptable and easier to deal with.”

The first year will focus on improving digital services and the customer experience, making better use of data, finding sensible savings, strengthening leadership and teamwork, and building Council’s ability to plan for growth, emergencies and long-term community needs.

It will also strengthen how Council works with mana whenua, neighbouring councils, community groups and other partners.

The programme is a year-by-year roadmap, recognising that major organisational change can take several years to deliver.

“Each stage can be adjusted or stopped if circumstances change, including if functions or services need to be transferred to another organisation.

“At the same time, we need to keep improving the organisation we have today and make sure our people and communities are well served while the future is being worked through.”

Mayor Mike Pettit said Future Us is about making sure the organisation can deliver for the next decade and beyond.

“Earlier this year, we set five goals for the organisation: responsible financial management, well-planned communities, fostering partnerships, strengthening trust and confidence, and building community resilience.

“We asked for focus, responsiveness and financial discipline to deliver them. Future Us is a step in this direction, and our endorsement of the first year today is a signal that we expect the organisation to do this for the people of Waipā.”

The total costs to implement the first year of the plan will be funded from existing operational budgets. Any investment required for year two of the roadmap will be a part of the development of the 2027-37 Long Term Plan.

The agenda item from yesterday’s Council meeting and a recording of the discussion can be found on the Council’s website.