Initiating Change

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• Initiating Change
• Building Strong Local Government
• Implementation the key issues

Peter McNaney Chief Executive 28 November 2008
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• Machiavellian quote on change
• It must be considered that there is nothing more
  difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of
  success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to
  initiate a new order of things. For the reformer
  has enemies in all those who profit by the old
  order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those
  who would profit by the new order, this
  lukewarmness arising partly from fear of their
  adversaries, who have the laws in their favour
  and partly from the incredulity of mankind, who
  do not truly believe in anything new until they
  have had actual experience of it. Thus it arises
  that on every opportunity for attacking the
  reformer, his opponents do so with the zeal of
  partisans, the others only defend him
  half-heartedly, so that between them he runs
  great danger."

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Fundamentals

• Theory of Evolution Who survives?
• Change will be the only constant
• People resist change
• Change The Process of Transition

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Change
Change The New Frontier. A challenge and an
opportunity
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Some Hard Learned Truths About Change

• Nothing happens without Leadership Political
  Leadership is key to success
• Nothing happens without resources
• Nothing happens without structure and clarity of
  who does what process
• Conflict will be a distraction and make it harder
  to succeed
• Sustainable Change is fair

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What is required? Elements of Successful Change
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Local Government Reform
Leadership and Implementation Structures
Regional
Political Management
Operational Management
Strategic Leadership Board (SLB) Policy
Development Panels (PDPs)
Regional Transition Coordinating Group (RTCG)
DOE/NILGA Joint Secretariat
Local
Council Transition Committees (TCs)
Transition Management Teams (TMTs)
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Local Government ReformImplementation Issues

• Agreed Programme of work for all elements tied
  into legislative programme
• Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick, Final Dash for line
• Starter for Ten
• Audit what we have
• Financial Systems
• ICT Information Systems
• Facilities and Asset Register
• Staff Transfer Scheme
• Clarify precisely what will transfer in terms of
  functions, people and assets

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Local Government ReformImplementation Issues

• What will transfer
• Planning
• Regeneration - urban - rural
• Public Realm Roads Issues
• Local Economic Development/Tourism
• Devil will be in the detail. Precisely what
  functions, how many staff, what vehicles, plant,
  equipment, assets, what resource will support
• Context of Transfer should be placeshaping

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Local Government ReformImplementation Issues

• Key Questions
• How will transferring functions be delivered?
  consultancy assignment
• How much will it cost? Who will pick up the tab?
• Key principle no extra burden to ratepayer at
  point of transfer
• Key Task Business case to DFP
• VFM and Benefits Realisation
• Resources will dictate success or failure

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Local Government ReformImplementation Issues

• Capacity, Skills, Development
• Process for deciding what we cant agree
• Resilience and all shoulders to the wheel