CITIZEN TO COUNCILLOR CANDIDATE INFORMATION SESSION Local - - PDF document

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CITIZEN TO COUNCILLOR

CANDIDATE INFORMATION SESSION

Local Government in Victoria

• Third level of government
• Powers come from Victorian Parliament (Local

Government Act 1989)

• 79 democratically elected Councils
• Promote the social, economic and environmental viability
• f local communities
• Councils are a government, planning authority, service

provider, an enforcement agency, a construction authority and an emergency management agency.

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Beyond roads, rates and rubbish

• Victorian councils spend $7b annually to provide more

than 100 services from cradle to grave

• $2b annually in infrastructure
• Councils are responsible for over $70b worth of assets

and infrastructure

• Councils develop Local laws for community safety,

peace and order

• Councils play a key role in the quality of life of the local

community

Beyond roads, rates and rubbish

• Councils develop Strategic Plans called the

Council Plan

• Councils develop strategies for land use,

economic development, tourism etc.

• Councils produce annual budgets and long

term financial strategies

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Funding of local government

• Rates and charges on property
• Fees, fines and charges
• Special Purpose Grants - State & Federal
• General Purpose Grants from State &

Federal (untied)

• Borrowings for large scale projects

Funding of local government

• On average Rates make up 58% of

income.

• Councils currently subject to a Rate Cap
• Special Purpose Grants 11% of income
• General Purpose Grants 5% of income
• Councils provide assets, infrastructure &

services on 3.4% of national taxation income.

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The Accountability

• Legislated responsibility to residents,

workers and visitors

• Other stakeholders include property
• wners, other levels of government,

business, developers, community groups and facility users

Local Government Act

• Local Government regulated by an Act of

State Parliament i.e. the Local Government Act 1989

• Specifies local government powers, duties

and functions

• Overseen by the Victorian Minister for

Local Government

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Local Government Act

• Many changes have been made to the

1989 Act

• There is a current review of the Local

Government Act 1989 underway

• There are other Acts relating to Local

Government e.g Planning, Environment, Health

• Local government is recognised in the

Victorian constitution (2003)

Structure of Council

• Mayor and Councillors
• Election of the Mayor
• Role of the Mayor
• CEO and Directors
• Council Staff and Contractors
• Delegations

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Plans and Policy

• The Council Plan is its key strategic

document

• Policy is determined by the resolution of

Council after consideration of: advice, consultation, budget, legal issues, risk, values

• Policy remains in place unless it is formally

changed by Council resolution

Decision Making

• The Council Meeting

– Formal Meeting – Procedures set by Local Law – Meeting is in public, but it is not a public meeting – In camera items

• Councillor Briefings

– Not decision making – Assembly of Council

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Conflicts and Conduct

• Conflicts of Interest
• Single Issues
• Code of Conduct

Preparation

• Go online and look at council agendas and

minutes

• Attend council meetings
• Look at committee structure
• Talk to current and former councillors
• Read the council plan
• Read the annual report
• Read the Councillor Code of Conduct

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Support and Allowances

• Candidates can receive campaign

donations

• Candidates can claim tax deductibility for

up to $1000 of their personal funds spent

• n their campaign
• Councillors are provided with equipment
• Councillors are provided with training,

conferences, etc.

• Councillors can claim bona fide expenses

Campaigning

• Inform yourself on local matters
• Understand the voting method
• Plan your campaign
• Reference: Section 6 in Citizen to

Councillor booklet.

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Further information

www.standforcouncil.com.au Municipal Association of Victoria Level 12, 60 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: (03) 9667 5555 Fax: (03) 9667 5550 Website: www.mav.asn.au

CITIZEN TO COUNCILLOR

CANDIDATE INFORMATION SESSION

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Role of a Councillor

The Act says:

• To participate in the decision-making of the council
• To represent the local community in that decision-making
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the council

In performing their role, councillors are to:

• Consider the diversity of interests and needs of the local community
• Observe the principles of integrity and good governance
• Provide civic leadership when exercising their functions
• Participate in the responsible allocation of resources through the

annual budget

• Facilitate effective communication between the council and the

community

Separation of roles between

councillors and CEOs

• The primary role of councillors is to establish

strategy, priorities and policies.

• Council management is delegated

responsibility for the day-to-day operations to deliver on the strategy.

• Maintaining this separation increases the

efficiency and effectiveness of council.

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Key decisions of council

• The Council Plan
• Budget, including rating strategy
• Municipal Strategic Statement/ Planning

Scheme

• Local policies and issues

The relationships

• Recognition of independence and

interdependence

• Need to share goals and support decisions
• Trust must underpin relationships
• Respect for individuals and differences

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Role of the Chief Executive Officer

The Act says that the CEO is to:

• Establish and maintain an appropriate organisational structure
• Ensure that the decisions of council are implemented without undue

delay

• Manage council’s day-to-day operations in accordance with the council

plan

• Provide timely advice to council
• Ensure that the council receives timely advice about its statutory legal
• bligations
• Support the mayor in the performance of the mayor’s role

The CEO is responsible for:

• Appointing, managing, directing and dismissing council staff
• Managing interactions between council staff and councillors

Community expectations

Personal attributes

• Honest and ethical behaviour
• Competent and motivated
• Responsible
• Good communication skills

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Community expectations

• Have a vision and strategy for the whole of

the municipality

• Work as part of a team
• Knowledgeable about the community
• Influenced by community concerns
• Willing to listen and learn

Governance role

A councillor is accountable for:

• Civic leadership and representation
• Local planning policy
• Advocacy and relationships with key

stakeholders

• Participate in transparent and informed

decision making

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Stewardship

A councillor is accountable for:

• Performance monitoring and measurement
• Monitoring Financial Performance
• Asset management
• Planning for future needs
• Economic Development
• Making Decisions for the whole community

Further information

www.standforcouncil.com.au Municipal Association of Victoria Level 12, 60 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: (03) 9667 5555 Fax: (03) 9667 5550 Website: www.mav.asn.au

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My experience as a councillor

Video presentation of councillor interviews

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Victorian Electoral Commission

Postal Election Attendance Election

March 2016

Victorian Electoral Commission

Postal Election

Municipal Association of Victoria Information Session Local Government Elections 2016

March 2016

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• Entitlement date:
• Close of roll for election is 4.00pm on Friday 26 August 2016
• Nominations;
• open Thursday 15 September 2016
• close 12 noon Tuesday 20 September 2016
• Candidate statements and photographs;
• close 12 noon Wednesday 21 September 2016
• Indication of Preferences;
• Close 12 noon Friday 23 September
• Voting closes at 6.00pm on Friday 21 October 2016.
• Extraction and counting activities commence Saturday 22 October 2016

(Election Day)

Key Dates Eligibility

To be eligible to stand as a candidate in this election, you must be:

• listed on the voters’ roll for the Council’s election, and
• an Australian citizen, and
• not disqualified by any other criteria (see Local

Government Act 1989), or

• have an exemption from certain disqualifications

granted by VCAT. It is an offence to nominate as a candidate if you are not qualified to do so. All candidates are encouraged to review the Candidates

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Nominating

Intending candidates must nominate by:

• filling out the nomination form by hand or online, and
• submitting the nomination form to the Returning Officer in person, and
• paying the nomination fee ($250) by cash or bank cheque (payable to the

Victorian Electoral Commission) to the Returning Officer.

Things to remember:

• Save time by completing a Nomination Form online using the Candidate Helper

(vec.vic.gov.au)

• Check enrolment details online (vec.vic.gov.au or with council) to ensure candidate

name and address appear on the nomination form as they appear on electoral roll

• Provide a contact person on the form for media and public enquiries
• Make an appointment with the Returning Officer to lodge a nomination and pay the

fee

Campaigning

• The VEC can assist candidates in preparing for campaigning by;
• Providing, upon request, a copy of the voters’ roll for the ward or

unsubdivided municipality for which the candidate is nominating.

• Accepting candidate statements and photographs by 12 noon

Wednesday 21 September for inclusion in the ballot material

• Accepting indication of preferences by 12 noon Friday 23 September

for inclusion in the ballot material.

• Accepting Appointment and declaration of a scrutineers form
• Candidates should familiarise themselves with the requirements for lodging

and authorising campaign material. Information can be found in the VEC Candidate Handbook

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VEC Information Session

• Information session for all prospective candidates will be held before or

during the nomination period.

• These sessions will provide information on the process for nominating and

running for a Local Government election.

• Notification of the sessions will be made via local papers and the election
• ffice.
• Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to attend these sessions

Electoral reforms since 2012 elections

Victorian Electoral Commission

Attendance Election

Municipal Association of Victoria Information Session Local Government Elections 2016

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Key Dates

• Entitlement date:
• Close of roll for election is Entitlement date:
• Close of roll for election is 4.00pm on Friday 26 August 2016
• Nominations;
• Open Thursday 15 September
• Close 12 noon Tuesday 20 September 2016
• How to Vote Card registrations;
• Open Wednesday 21 September 2016
• Close 12 noon Friday 14 November 2016
• Election Day is Saturday 22 October 2016, voting and voting centres
• pen at 8.00am and closes 6.00pm.

Eligibility

To be eligible to stand as a candidate in this election, you must be:

• listed on the voters’ roll for the Council’s election, and
• an Australian citizen, and
• not disqualified by any other criteria (see Local

Government Act 1989), or

• have an exemption from certain disqualifications

granted by VCAT. It is an offence to nominate as a candidate if you are not qualified to do so. All candidates are encouraged to review the Candidates

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Nominating

Intending candidates must nominate by:

• filling out the nomination form by hand or online, and
• submitting the nomination form to the Returning Officer in person, and
• paying the nomination fee ($250) by cash or bank cheque (payable to the

Victorian Electoral Commission) to the Returning Officer.

Things to remember:

• Save time by completing a Nomination Form online using the Candidate Helper

(vec.vic.gov.au)

• Check enrolment details online (vec.vic.gov.au or with council) to ensure candidate

name and address appear on the nomination form as they appear on electoral roll

• Provide a contact person on the form for media and public enquiries
• Make an appointment with the Returning Officer to lodge a nomination and pay

the fee

Campaigning

• The VEC can assist candidates by:
• Providing, upon request, a copy of the voters’ roll for the ward or

unsubdivided municipality for which the candidate is nominating.

• Registering How to Vote Cards. (must be lodged at the election office

by 12 noon Friday 14 October)

• Accepting Appointment and declaration of a scrutineers form
• Candidates should familiarise themselves with the requirements for lodging

and authorising campaign material. Information can be found in the VEC Candidate Handbook

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VEC Information Session

• An Information session for all prospective candidates will be held before
• r during the nomination period.
• These sessions will provide information on the process for nominating and

running for a Local Government election.

• Notification of the sessions will be made via local papers and the election
• ffice.
• Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to attend these sessions

Electoral reforms since 2012 elections

• VEC is now statutory provider for council elections
• No requirement for an exhibition roll
• A person convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment

for 2 years or more years (used to be 5 or more years) cannot be a candidate

• A person banned from being a company director cannot be a

candidate

• A returning officer can remove a candidate found to be

disqualified from the ballot paper

• All candidates must nominate in person
• Candidate must be on the electoral roll (not just entitled to be)

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Further information

www.standforcouncil.com.au Municipal Association of Victoria Level 12, 60 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: (03) 9667 5555 Fax: (03) 9667 5550 Website: www.mav.asn.au

CITIZEN TO COUNCILLOR

CANDIDATE INFORMATION SESSION