A key feature of the collaborative landscape for local government in the Waikato region is the councils’ jointly owned Waikato Local Authority Shared Services Ltd company (similar to Bay of Plenty’s).

Already, collective local government savings worth millions of dollars have already been achieved, and more will be delivered, through Waikato LASS’s collaborative arrangements.

Waikato LASS enables councils to save money and increase efficiency by jointly entering into contracts and agreements, and by working collaboratively.

According to a recent report, savings already made or set to be realised, as well as other gains, through the joint arrangements include:

• Millions of dollars worth of ongoing savings on consultancy services due to a professional services panel offering discounts to the Waikato Regional, Hamilton City, Waikato District and Waipa District councils
• Multi-million dollar savings on energy costs from joint procurement of electricity and gas supplies
• Estimated savings of almost $1 million over 10 years on chemicals used in water and wastewater treatment plants
• Savings of at least $400,000 over five years on insurance brokerage, along with more than $1 million in other insurance-related savings
• A $126,000 reduction in property data related costs, plus revenue of over $200,000 in commercial property data sales.

Other co-operation opportunities continue to be explored by Waikato LASS.