While we wait to see the detail of Local Water Done Well, we know the next set of reforms will include the ability for councils to shift delivery of water services into new configurations, including streamlined Council Controlled Organisations
Some Councils and political leaders have already expressed concerns over how collaboration might work, where the power and influence sit, and what the mechanics for getting all these issues into the discussion will be. It will be a challenging time for Councils as we navigate through these reforms, and there’s never been a greater need for us to all learn from each other’s experiences.
Our upcoming forum Working with Council Controlled Organisations will cover these issues, and more. One of the sessions will focus on the 2019 Hawke’s Bay Councils business case to establish a joint water entity. What are lessons the participating councils learnt from this and what are the opportunities for us all as we look to the future? We’ll also have a session on Auckland Council and Watercare - a substantial water service CCO already in operation. What benefits does it provide and what are the challenges the Council has encountered having its water services at arm’s length?