citizen to councillor · funding of local government • rates and charges on property • fees,...

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CITIZEN TO COUNCILLORCANDIDATE 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.

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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 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

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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 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.

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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


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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 OfficerThe 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

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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




Melbourne VIC 3000

Tel: (03) 9667 5555

Fax: (03) 9667 5550


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My experience as a councillorVideo presentation of councillor interviews

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Victorian Electoral Commission

Postal Election Attendance Election

March 2016


Postal ElectionMunicipal Association of Victoria

Information SessionLocal 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

EligibilityTo 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 disqualificationsgranted 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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NominatingIntending 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 office.

• Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to attend these sessions

Electoral reforms since 2012 elections


Attendance Election

Municipal Association of VictoriaInformation 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 open at 8.00am and closes 6.00pm.

EligibilityTo 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 disqualificationsgranted 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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NominatingIntending 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 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 office.

• 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




Melbourne VIC 3000

Tel: (03) 9667 5555

Fax: (03) 9667 5550



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