Western Bay of Plenty District Council has declined Tauranga City Council's invitation to share digs.

The city council, which is looking at committing to a $70 million plus building programme to replace its mouldy and leaky office block, asked its neighbouring council to consider sharing in submissions to its Annual Plan.

Western Bay doesn't want to move into the CBD.

The reply declining exploring the ‘efficiency gains' that would come from operating under one roof was publicised in the district council's policy and strategy committee agenda this week.

'Our opinion is that if TCC is looking for strategic advantage, it should look to co-locate with organisations that provide complementary services, ie. those that are also used by TCC customers,' is the response from the District Council.

'Western Bay of Plenty Council's customers are not likely to use TCC administration services, so we don't see a significant benefit to our customers,” reads the agenda.

'Given the inconvenience of traffic and limited parking in the CBD, we believe our customers are better served from our current Cameron Road location and the offices in Te Puke, Katikati, Waihi Beach, Omokoroa and Maketu.

'You also suggest exploring potential efficiencies gains of co-locating council activities. We think this should be done as part of broader investigations into alternative methods of service delivery as listed in s17A of the Local Government Act 2002, on an activity by activity basis. We note that some opportunities may arise as a result of investigations already underway and we welcome further opportunities to work with TCC on such reviews.”

Until recently, the neighbouring councils shared a committee - the Joint Governance Committee - but recent meetings have been cancelled following the district council's decision to walk away from a previously combined waste management programme that recommended both councils revert to ratepayer funded rubbish collecting.