Further detail on how the "transformation" of the Waitaki District Council will proceed in the next year has yet to emerge.
While some of the council’s 211 fulltime equivalent staff now know they will have to reapply for their jobs, the council has declined to give the a plan of the new organisational structure it put to staff in a confidential briefing on July 18.
All staff were called into the meeting the day after the council briefed local media with its broad overview of the planned "transformation".
The following day, the council’s 211 staff learned at least 9% of their number would either be made redundant or have their jobs restructured — and be required to reapply.
Whole departments are also to be dissolved or merged in the $4.5 million organisational "transformation" by 2025.
"None of the staff were aware", the staff member said.
"It’s a little bit frustrating that it’s front page of the paper and we’re not even to discuss it."
However, chief executive Alex Parmley said no-one at the council should have been "surprised" given extensive consultation from May onwards, after staff were asked to put forward ideas to make council more fit for purpose in a digital age.
The results of the consultation and final decisions on organisation design and roles had already been communicated "on a number of occasions prior".
It had been clear the consultation was about a proposed organisation design, including how departments and individual roles at the council would be changing, not job cuts.
"This was made very clear in the consultation document that all staff were provided with on May 22", Mr Parmley said.
However, the anonymous staffer said many employees were shocked to find the July 18 briefing was about their employment.
They also suggested a lot of information about the transformation put out "is false" and couched in language to minimise the true impact, including the budget for the reorganisation which was actually "well over $4.5m".
Mr Parmley initially said the cost of the transformation would be less than $4m, on July 17.
He apologised for "the confusion on that point" after it was raised.
Mr Parmley said the plan to restructure followed extensive staff engagement "to rethink" its service delivery.
"All staff were invited to offer their thoughts on the proposal and suggest changes, with hundreds of items and suggestions being submitted.
Many current roles would be replaced by new or different roles in a staged process to unfold over the next year.
"Many of our current departments and teams will be replaced by new and different teams, focused on community outcomes and delivering consistent customer-focused services", he said.
There had also been "numerous meetings" collectively and individually prior to finalisation of the new structure.
"All feedback was confidential, and themed when responses were provided", Mr Parmley said.
Since the July 18 briefing, the council has posted an additional "fact sheet" on its website.
Under broad headings, the need for the reorganisation is justified in broad terms because the council’s current operation "isn’t sustainable".
Council needed to be more "customer-centric", and focus on localities within the district along with enhanced community engagement.
The fact sheet also suggested the council could make more use of partnerships — although it drew the line at replacing current staff with volunteers.
The transformation was also intended to ensure the council "genuinely works as one team".
— Brendon McMahon
