Shared Services
Fuel
Fuel Savings Fuel Savings have been achieved through a collaborative review of vehicle management across the HBLASS councils. A common fuel purchasing contract has been adopted and year-on-year savings across the councils are at least $20,000 per council.
GIS
GIS Project The GIS Project was established over 5 years ago and was leading edge at the time. The GIS Service is becoming a centre of excellence. In 2017 urban aerial photography was updated as a collaborative effort supporting all councils and external users to be more effective and efficient. A shared approach to rural photography for the region will be initiated in 2018. The architecture, supporting a single point of access to the regions aerial photography and data from all councils, is improving each year.
Information Services
Information Services The Information Service Project was established more than 5 years ago. The group works well as “councils without borders” and had significant achievements in 2017/18 including a region-wide Wide Area Network (WAN), shared web services creating a common user interface for all councils websites. Continued alignment of IS direction, infrastructure and resourcing enable future shared services with other Councils, regionally and nationally. Information architecture and management are areas for continued development.
Insurance
Insurance In partnership with 25 councils, MWLASS has faciitated shared insurance procurement while supporting regional differences. About $930,000 in annual savings for ratepayers across Hawke’s Bay are generated.
Records Management
Records A Records Management Project has reviewed standards and approaches as well as the opportunity for shared policy to simplify storage and access. Records are required to be kept and maintained as part of the Public Records Act 2005, which sets out a framework for record keeping in public offices and local authorities. Significant work has been undertaken to improve the current state of records including digitizing records and providing information systems to streamline information storage and retrieval.
Water Conservation
Water Conservation The tap water that flows to users in Napier and Hastings comes from the Heretaunga Plains aquifer. Over the dry summer months, Napier, Hastings and the Regional Council ask that you help conserve water by remembering a few simple tips. water conservation The main points are: Follow the advice of your city or district council sprinkler restrictions or other measures may apply Check for leaks, and fix leaking taps Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full, and use ‘eco’ settings Scrape dirty dishes, rather than rinse Turn off the tap when brushing teeth Take shorter showers, and use a low flow showerhead Find more information using the following links: Water Conservation – Hastings District Council website Water – Napier City Council website Water Management – Hawke’s Bay Regional Council website.
Web Services
Web Services CHBDC, HDC, HBRC, NCC and WDC are all using the same web framework for their websites. The shared web platform provides a better web experience for all councils’ customers and is an easier system for council staff to manage. A web centre of excellence is developing. By standardising the web platform and structure, the councils make cost savings, easily share and integrate information and provide new features to customers cost effectively. One example is showing the HBRC rates on each of the council websites and vice versa, saving the customer time searching two websites.
