Waitaki District Council Faces Workload Challenges, CEO Reports

The chief executive of the Waitaki District Council, Alex Parmley, highlighted significant challenges facing council staff in a recent report. The document outlined the pressures of completing multiple critical tasks during the final quarter of the 2023 financial year. Those tasks included finalizing the long-term plan, responding to government reforms such as the Local Water Done Well initiative, and managing the implications of various other local council reforms.

According to Parmley, the combination of these responsibilities has resulted in staff feeling “close to overwhelmed.” He noted the ongoing efforts required to deliver essential services while navigating the complexities of the district plan review and other transformative projects. “The past year, including the last quarter, has seen the organisation, its capacity and its people stretched to being close to overwhelmed with the volume of high-priority work,” Parmley stated. He expressed gratitude for the dedication of both staff and the governance team, emphasizing their commitment to serving the district despite the challenges.

The report detailed the success of the council’s transformation programme, which aims to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency. While significant improvements have been recorded, unforeseen complications related to the Local Water Done Well reforms have created additional workload for staff. This situation arose after councilors reversed an initial decision on the preferred option for these reforms, further complicating the council’s agenda.

As the report continued, it recognized the impact of the transformation on day-to-day operations. A new customer service model has been implemented, which is reportedly improving access to services and accelerating delivery times. “Transformational change of this scale can be disruptive,” the report noted, but it also highlighted that most services have continued with minimal disruption. Key projects, including the Network Waitaki Sports and Events Centre, the Forrester Gallery Extension, and the Kakanui Bridge replacement, are progressing well.

Despite the overall positive outlook, some areas have experienced challenges. The library service faced temporary disruptions, and governance support struggled to meet service standards due to increased demands from complex meetings. The pressure to maintain business as usual during these changes has added stress on staff, contributing to delays in the transformation process.

The report concludes by recognizing the need for ongoing support for council staff, as they continue to navigate these demanding circumstances. The commitment to maintaining service delivery while implementing significant changes remains a priority for the Waitaki District Council as it moves forward into the next financial year.