12/08/2016 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 of local communities • Councils are a government, planning authority, service provider, an enforcement agency, a construction authority and an emergency management agency. 1
12/08/2016 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 2
12/08/2016 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. 3
12/08/2016 The Accountability • Legislated responsibility to residents, workers and visitors • Other stakeholders include property owners, 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 4
12/08/2016 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 5
12/08/2016 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 6
12/08/2016 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 7
12/08/2016 Support and Allowances • Candidates can receive campaign donations • Candidates can claim tax deductibility for up to $1000 of their personal funds spent on 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. 8
12/08/2016 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 9
12/08/2016 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. 10
12/08/2016 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 11
12/08/2016 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 obligations • 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 12
12/08/2016 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 13
12/08/2016 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 14
12/08/2016 My experience as a councillor Video presentation of councillor interviews 15
12/08/2016 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 16
12/08/2016 Key Dates • 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) 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 17
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