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NORTH SYDNEY COUNCIL

Council Chambers 8 February 2018

I wish to inform you that a Meeting of the GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE will be held in the Supper Room at 6.00pm on Monday 12 February 2018 when your attendance is requested.

A confidential briefing for Councillors will be held during the Committee meeting regarding Item G01.

Your attention is directed to the accompanying statement of the business proposed to be transacted at such meeting.

KEN GOULDTHORP GENERAL MANAGER

BUSINESS

1. MinutesConfirmation of Minutes of the previous Meeting held on 6 November 2017.(Circulated). This meeting did not have a quorum and the Minutes are a recordof the meeting only.

Governance Committee – 12/02/18 Page No 2

2. G01: Future Options for Managing New Year’s Eve in North SydneyReport of Justin Sheining, Team Leader EventsIn recent years, there have been significant changes to how New Year’s Eve hasbeen managed across Sydney. Increasingly, sites are being ticketed and this ishaving a flow-on effect to North Sydney, with more people coming to the NorthSydney LGA where access to viewing sites is free. It is estimated there were80,000 people in our parks and reserves last year and thousands more on thestreets in foreshore areas.Council does not actively manage some of our foreshore areas and there is agrowing problem with behaviour of the crowds in these areas, in particular atWaverton. There is also an increasing number of requests from NSW Police andother agencies to provide additional resources for crowd management.The budget for NYE has increased from $224,000 in 2012 to $367,000 in 2016.The final cost for 2017 is not yet available, income was $45,000. Additionalfunding of up to $500,000 would be needed to meet all the requested changesin the coming years.There are a number of options Council can pursue including closing some areasof the foreshore to public access, ticketing some parks and reserves, andtendering the management of one or more parks and reserves to an externalevent company.This report is an introduction to the issues faced in managing the event. Apresentation providing additional details will occur at the GovernanceCommittee meeting on 12 February 2018.Funding for the NYE as it is currently organised with essential increases tocover staffing has been included in the draft budget for 18/19.Recommending:1. THAT Council determine its attitude toward closing and/or ticketingforeshore areas on NYE.

3. G02: 2018 National General Assembly - Call for Nominees and MotionsReport of Ian Curry, Manager Governance and Committee ServicesThe 2018 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) will be heldin Canberra from 17-20 June 2018. The Australian Local GovernmentAssociation (ALGA) Board is calling for motions for the 2018 NGA under thetheme of ‘Australia's Future, Make it local’.To assist councils in preparing motions, a Discussion Paper has been preparedby the ALGA and is attached to this report (Attachment 1).An amount of $15,000 has been allocated in the 2017/18 budget for councillorattendance at conferences, seminars and training. To date, $7545 has beenexpended.Recommending:1. THAT Council determine the number of councillors to attend the 2018National General Assembly of Local Government.2.THAT Council determines whether it wants to submit any Motions to the2018 National General Assembly of Local Government, under the theme of‘Australia's Future, Make it local’.3. THAT should Council submit any Motions, a further report be prepared on the Resolutions made by the National General Assembly.


4. G03: Consultation on Proposed Councillor Induction and ProfessionalDevelopment GuidelinesReport of Melissa Dunlop, Governance Co-ordinatorCouncil is invited to make a submission to the Office of Local Government inrelation to the proposed Councillor Induction and Professional DevelopmentGuidelines by 16 March 2018. Under the Guidelines, Council’s induction andprofessional development programs are to consist of three elements:• Pre-election candidate sessions;• Induction program; and• Professional development program.Council will be required to report to the Council on the induction and ongoingprofessional development activities offered to the Mayor and each Councillor,whether they participated in these activities and make this information publiclyavailable on Council’s website.There is a total of $18,000 allocated in the 2017/18 budget for Councillorconferences and training. $7,545 has been spent to date.Recommending:1. THAT Council determine if a submission should be made to the Office ofLocal Government regarding the Proposed Councillor Induction andProfessional Development Guidelines.


1. Confirmation of Minutes of the previous Meeting held on 6 November 2017

2. Items for Consideration - see attached reports

Item No. Subject Page G01 Future Options for Managing New Year’s Eve in North

Sydney 8

G02 2018 National General Assembly - Call for Nominees and Motions

12

G03 Consultation on Proposed Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines

19

3. General Business

Minute Book Page No 8

This is Page No 8 of the Minutes of the Governance Committee Meeting of the North Sydney Council held on 6 November 2017.

NORTH SYDNEY COUNCIL

REPORT OF GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

SUBJECT: PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE AT MEETING HELD IN THE SUPPER ROOM AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, NORTH SYDNEY, ON MONDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 2017 AT 6.00PM.

PRESENT

The Mayor, Jilly Gibson, in the Chair, and Councillors Brodie, Drummond, and Keen.

Staff: Adrian Panuccio, A/General Manager Rob Emerson, Director Open Space and Environmental Services Ross McCreanor, Chief Operating Officer Joseph Hill, Director City Strategy Sandra Moore, Acting Director Corporate Services Ian Curry, Manager Governance and Committee Services (Minutes)

Visitors: Nil

Apologies were received from Councillors Baker, Barbour, Beregi, Carr and Mutton.

At the commencement of business (6.03pm) Councillors present were – The Mayor, Jilly Gibson, in the Chair, and Councillors Brodie, Drummond, Keen.

8. Lack of Quorum

With only four Councillors present, it was noted that there is not a quorum for themeeting of 6 November 2017. It was decided by all present that the meeting wouldproceed inquorate. The Minutes for this meeting will be a record of the meeting andwill need to be confirmed at the Council meeting on 20 November 2017.

9. Minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 June 2017, copies of which had beenpreviously circulated, were taken as read and confirmed.

NB: All councillors present recommended that point 2 of the Minutes of theGovernance Committee of 5 June 2017 be deleted. As the Minutes of this meeting were

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE – 6/11/17 Page No 9


confirmed by Council on 26 June 2017, the Mayor will prepare a Mayoral Minute to rescind this resolution.

10. G01: Recording of Reference Group Meetings

Report of Ian Curry, Manager Governance and Committee ServicesCouncil at its meeting on 16 March 2015 adopted a recommendation by the Sport andRecreation Reference Group that the Sport and Recreation Reference Group meetingsbe recorded and it is acknowledged by Citizen Members that the recordings are storedfor future use.This report addresses the resolution.Financial implications are Nil at this stage, should Council adopt the recommendationbelow.Recommending:1. THAT the resolution to record any Reference Group meetings be deferred pendingthe outcome of the review and to allow consultation with current and future citizenmembers.

11. G02: Insurance, Risk Events and Claims Update

Report of Jon Paul Agnew, Risk ManagerThis report is made with reference to clause 5.1 of the Governance Committee Charter,regarding “Recommendations/information relating to insurance matters”.Recommending:1. THAT “Recommendations/information relating to insurance matters” be deletedfrom clause 5.1 of the Governance Committee Charter, and that these mattershenceforth be reported to the Audit and Risk Committee.

12. G03: Contract Variations Report

Report of John Thomson, Manager Corporate ContractsThis report provides details of the status of Variations as compared to the ContractContingency sum for the various Council contracts not completed as at 31/10/2017. Itincludes only one-off type contracts (such as streetscape, drainage etc.) not termcontracts which run over a defined period (such as waste collection, cleaning etc.).Recommending:1. THAT the report be received.

13. G04: Audit and Risk Committee - Appointment of Independent Representatives

Report of Sandra Moore, Acting Director Corporate ServicesThe Charter for Council’s Audit and Risk Committee provides for the appointment oftwo independent community members, one of whom is the Chair, the Deputy Mayorand another Councillor.The appointment of the two independent members, Mr John Gordon and Mr RonSwitzer (Chair) expires in December 2017 and this report seeks their reappointment fora fixed term. During this time, the two positions will be advertised with a view toappointing one representative to commence in 2019 and the other to commence in2020.The independent members are paid $500 per meeting.Recommending:1. THAT Council extend the appointment of one Audit and Risk Committee

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE – 6/11/17 Page No 10


community representative for another 12 months (to December 2018) and the other for a further 24 months (to December 2019). 2. THAT the current community representatives determine between themselves whowill take the longer term.3. THAT expressions of interest be called for two Audit and Risk Committeecommunity representatives, with a view to appointing one representative to commencein 2019 and the other to commence in 2020.

14. General Business

Diary appointments

Cr Drummond requested that any appointments in the Councillors’ Diary be sent asinvitations to councillors.

The A/General Manager agreed that all councillors would be asked if they wanted tobe included in all calendar appointments for Council functions.

Order of business

Councillor Drummond asked if there was a way for the Order of Business at Councilmeetings to be displayed during the meeting so that councillors and the gallery couldfollow the proceedings.

The A/General Manager agreed that a whiteboard of items to be brought forward fordiscussion would be displayed in the Chamber and an explanatory note included in theagenda. The Mayor will also provide an explanation of the order in which matters areto be considered at the start of each meeting.

The meeting closed at 6.43pm

____________________________ ________________________ CHAIRPERSON A/GENERAL MANAGER

Item G01 Governance Committee 12/02/18

N O R T H S Y D N E Y C O U N C I L R E P O R T S

Report to General Manager Attachments:

Nil

SUBJECT: Future Options for Managing New Year’s Eve in North Sydney

AUTHOR: Justin Sheining, Team Leader Events

ENDORSED BY: Ross McCreanor, Director Corporate Services

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

In recent years, there have been significant changes to how New Year’s Eve has been managed across Sydney. Increasingly, sites are being ticketed and this is having a flow-on effect to North Sydney, with more people coming to the North Sydney LGA where access to viewing sites is free. It is estimated there were 80,000 people in our parks and reserves last year and thousands more on the streets in foreshore areas.

Council does not actively manage some of our foreshore areas and there is a growing problem with behaviour of the crowds in these areas, in particular at Waverton. There is also an increasing number of requests from NSW Police and other agencies to provide additional resources for crowd management.

The budget for NYE has increased from $224,000 in 2012 to $367,000 in 2016. The final cost for 2017 is not yet available, income was $45,000. Additional funding of up to $500,000 would be needed to meet all the requested changes in the coming years.

There are a number of options Council can pursue including closing some areas of the foreshore to public access, ticketing some parks and reserves, and tendering the management of one or more parks and reserves to an external event company.

This report is an introduction to the issues faced in managing the event. A presentation providing additional details will occur at the Governance Committee meeting on 12 February 2018.

Comment by Responsible Accounting Officer: Funding for the NYE as it is currently organised with essential increases to cover staffing has been included in the draft budget for 18/19.

RECOMMENDATION: 1. THAT Council determine its attitude toward closing and/or ticketing foreshore areas onNYE.

Report of Justin Sheining, Team Leader Events Re: Future Options for Managing New Year’s Eve in North Sydney

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LINK TO COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN

The relationship with the Community Strategic Plan is as follows:

Direction: 3. Our Economic Vitality

Outcome: 3.3 North Sydney is a place that attracts events

BACKGROUND

North Sydney Council has a significant responsibility for the management of New Year’s Eve due to the large number of prime vantage points available to spectators that are located within the LGA. Crowds are arriving at North Sydney vantage points and setting up camping tents days several days before NYE in larger numbers each year.

For many years now Council has implemented Managed Access areas. They were introduced at Bradfield Park in 2002, Blues Point Reserve in 2003, and Mary Booth Reserve and Quibaree Park in 2016. There are bag checks at the entrance to these areas and the areas are closed when they are deemed full by Police on the night. People in Mary Booth Reserve are issued with wrist bands so that they can enter and exit via Bradfield Park throughout the day.

Council pays for fencing, toilets, waste bins, lighting towers and security at the Managed Access sites. We also provide toilets, bins and lighting towers at Cremorne Point, Kurraba Point, Waverton Park and Balls Head and in the past have provided additional toilets at St Leonards Park. Food stalls are arranged for Bradfield Park, Blues Point Reserve and Cremorne Point. Council also provides digital message boards and barricades for crowd and traffic management.

Since Council is not the organiser of the event, our capacity to seek sponsorship is limited to sponsorship of a venue. We have attempted to seek venue sponsorship in the past without success.

Harbourside LAC has led the NYE operation on the northside with support from Council for many years. More than 400 police officers are allocated to the northside (which extends from Mosman to Greenwich) each NYE.

Entry to all our parks and reserves is free. Research conducted by the City of Sydney in 2015 showed that 46% of the visitors in Bradfield Park were from overseas, and 10% were from interstate or outside Sydney. Of the people from Sydney, the majority were from northern or north-western Sydney, but there was no breakdown by LGA or postcode available.

CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS

When changes are made to NYE arrangements, community engagement is undertaken in accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Protocol.


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SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT

The following table provides a summary of the key sustainability implications:

QBL Pillar Implications Environment • There is a considerable wear and tear, including some damage, to

foreshore parks and reserves.Social • The event brings people together from around the world to celebrate a

significant occasion.Economic • Local accommodation and food businesses do well on NYE. The event

is reported to bring $130 million into the NSW economy, however, noestimate of costs for all agencies has ever been provided to NSC.

Governance • Encourages partnership with the Department of Premier and Cabinet,City of Sydney, NSW Police and other State agencies.

DETAIL

In 2017, it is estimated that there were 80,000 people in the parks and reserves, including 4,500 in Mary Booth Reserve, 36,000 in Bradfield Park, 15,000 in Blues Point Reserve and 5,000 in Quibaree Park. All the managed access areas closed earlier than in previous years and as a result there were additional people on the streets and some people attempting to gain a view at a risk to their own or others safety. The egress, which is managed by NSW Police, took 2.5 hours.

The number of complaints about NYE each year is minimal given the large number of people who attend the event. The complaints consistently relate to the length of time it takes to get the station after midnight and the long queues for toilets inside the Managed Access areas (there is 1 toilet per 470 people in Bradfield Park).

This year there were also complaints about the lack of toilets on the streets in Kirribilli, which resulted in people urinating on private property and near Milsons Point Station. In the areas that are not actively managed, there were issues with alcohol consumption, especially at Waverton, and there was severe damage to sensitive bushland at Balls Head Reserve.

NYE in The Future

This year, due to the large crowd numbers and public safety concerns, Police from Harbourside LAC have recommended Council consider ticketing the major sites. Staff have been advised informally that Police support for ticketed sites would be provided on a user-pays basis so the price set would need to take this into account.

There is increasing pressure from NSW Police, the City of Sydney and the Department of Premier and Cabinet for landholders to take full control and responsibility for managing the event and its risks, including counter-terrorism management. This includes requests for road hardening at key points with concrete barriers, which cost considerably more than water filled barriers currently provided by Council.

Other requests include: • an increase in the number and length of clearways• an earlier start time for clearways


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• clearing and locking down sites one or two days before NYE• closing streets to resident vehicle access at any earlier time• increasing staffing to manage crowd behaviour (currently managed by Police)• more toilets at Bradfield Park, Blues Point and St Leonards Park• more bins• traffic management staff to manage road closures

Regardless of whether any of these requests can be supported, there is a need to increase the budget for staff. In 2017, there were 25 staff members working on NYE (not counting the staff who worked on the clean up on New Year’s Day). This is not sufficient to manage the infrastructure set up and removal without staff working for unsafe amounts of time.

Options to Explore

NYE as it currently stands is unsustainable. The budget would need to increase by at least $100,000 to provide adequate staffing, some additional road hardening and the closure of sensitive bushland areas. This would still not address the requests above or the risks associated with unmanaged areas of land.

It should be noted that whenever anything changes in the NYE arrangements, there is invariably a flow-on effect on other areas, and this will need to be considered in any decisions that are made.

Some options for exploring in the future would include: • Closing one or more foreshore areas to the public• Council ticketing one or more foreshore areas to contribute to the cost of managing the

event• Council ticketing foreshore areas and providing priority to residents• Council contracting an event company to ticket and manage one or more foreshore areas

on behalf of Council

ITEM G02 Governance Committee 12/02/18



1. NGA Discussion Paper

SUBJECT: 2018 National General Assembly - Call for Nominees and Motions

AUTHOR: Ian Curry, Manager Governance and Committee Services


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The 2018 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) will be held in Canberra from 17-20 June 2018. The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) Board is calling for motions for the 2018 NGA under the theme of ‘Australia's Future, Make it local’.

To assist councils in preparing motions, a Discussion Paper has been prepared by the ALGA and is attached to this report (Attachment 1).

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

An amount of $15,000 has been allocated in the 2017/18 budget for councillor attendance at conferences, seminars and training. To date, $7545 has been expended.

RECOMMENDATION: 1. THAT Council determine the number of councillors to attend the 2018 National GeneralAssembly of Local Government.2.THAT Council determines whether it wants to submit any Motions to the 2018 NationalGeneral Assembly of Local Government, under the theme of ‘Australia's Future, Make it local’.3. THAT should Council submit any Motions, a further report be prepared on the Resolutions made by the National General Assembly.

Report of Ian Curry, Manager Governance and Committee Services Re: 2018 National General Assembly - Call for Nominees and Motions

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LINK TO DELIVERY PROGRAM

The relationship with the Delivery Program is as follows:

Direction: 5. Our Civic Leadership

Outcome: 5.1 Council leads the strategic direction of North Sydney

BACKGROUND

The 2018 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) will be held in Canberra from 17-20 June 2017.

In 2017, six councillors attended the NGA but Council was not able to submit any motions as it was not a financial member of Local Government NSW, at the time.

Council’s Mayor and Councillors Facilities and Benefits Policy states:

4.7.1 The Mayor and Councillors may be nominated to attend conferences, seminars and similar functions by the Council, through resolution of the Council or by the Mayor and General Manager acting under delegated authorities. If the Mayor requires approval to attend conferences, etc outside of Council meetings it should be given jointly by the Deputy Mayor and the General Manager.

Attendance at conferences will be subject to the budget limits adopted each year.

Note: This shall not preclude the Mayor from nominating a substitute attendee for functions within the local government area or general Sydney Metropolitan Area on those occasions where the Mayor is unable to be in attendance.


Community engagement is not required.


The following table provides a summary of the key sustainability implications:

QBL Pillar Implications Environment • Issues raised at the National General Assembly may include

environmental issues.Social • Issues raised at the National General Assembly may include

social issues.Economic • Issues raised at the National General Assembly may include

economic issues.Governance • Issues raised at the National General Assembly may include

governance issues.

Report of Ian Curry, Manager Governance and Committee Services Re: 2018 National General Assembly - Call for Nominees and Motions

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DETAIL

The theme for the 2017 NGA is ‘Australia's Future, Make it local’. This year, the NGA will focus debate on motions that strengthen the capacity of local government to provide services and infrastructure in Australia. Providing clear actions within areas that are still emerging provides councils with an opportunity to influence the development of ALGA policy and advocacy by ALGA on federal election commitments.

The 2018 NGA provides an important opportunity to progress Local Government issues in the Federal agenda. Below are some critical areas in which Local Government needs to consider the role it can in local communities on the national stage. ln particular, the 2018 NGA is calling for Motions that provide clear policy advice and/or policy initiatives that will help Local Government to address the following policy challenges:

• Housing Affordability• Financial Sustainability - Oppose Cost Shifting• lnnovation and Digital Transformation - Smart Communities• Harmonising Local Government Data• Cyber Security• Environment• Regional Development

To be eligible for inclusion in the NGA Business Papers, and subsequent debate on the floor of the NGA, motions must meet the following criteria:

1. be relevant to the work of local government nationally;2. be consistent with the themes of the NGA;3. complement or build on the policy objectives of your state and territory local government

association;4. be from a council which is a financial member of their state or territory local government

association;5. propose a clear action and outcome;6. not be advanced on behalf of external third parties that may seek to use the NGA to apply

pressure to Board members or to gain national political exposure for positions that are notdirectly relevant to the work of, or in the national interests of, local government.

In accordance with previous NGAs, the ALGA Board will consider notices of motions for inclusion in the NGA agenda and will align similar motions, prioritise motions according to the NGA theme and take any other steps required to facilitate an effective and productive NGA outcome for participants.

Any Motions proposed by Councillors can be considered at the 26 March 2017 Council meeting.

The ALGA requires all Motions to be endorsed by Council and submitted by 30 March 2018.

National Convention Centre Canberra 17-20 June 2018NGA 2018

National General Assembly of Local Government Call for Motions Discussion Paper

Australia’s Future, Make it Local

The purpose of this discussion paper is to provide guidance to councils for the development of Motions for debate at the 2018 National General Assembly. The paper provides an overview of policy areas in which the NGA has well-established positions and identifies potential new and emerging policy areas which are being developed by ALGA and require detailed consideration. Councils are particularly encouraged to submit Motions on these policy areas.

Highlighting the issues below contributes to implementing ALGA’s Strategic Plan 2017-2020 and its objectives to:

strengthen Local Government in the areas of financial sustainability; delivering services inregional cities; infrastructure; and innovation and digital transformation, as well as,

facilitating collaboration between state and territory associations in Local Government’s role inIndigenous policy issues, scale and capacity; women in Local Government; and diversity inrepresentation.

Criteria for Motions

Your Opportunity

The primary focus of all Motions should be to strengthen the capacity of local government to provide services and infrastructure in Australia. Providing clear actions within areas that are still emerging provides councils with an opportunity to influence the development of ALGA policy and advocacy by ALGA on federal election commitments.

Motions must meet the following criteria:

be relevant to the work of local government nationally

be consistent with the theme of the NGA

complement or build on the policy objectives of your state and territory local governmentassociation

be submitted by a council which is a financial member of their state or territory localgovernment association

propose a clear action and outcome

not be advanced on behalf of external third parties that may seek to use the NGA to applypressure to Board members or to gain national political exposure for positions that are notdirectly relevant to the work of, or in the national interests of, local government.

Emerging Issues

Councils across Australia are constantly being asked to do more with less. Changing community needs, including ageing populations, technological advancements and changing economic circumstances, are a challenge for all communities.

Analysis suggests that a Commonwealth election may well be called between August 2018 and May 2019. The 2018 NGA therefore provides an important opportunity to progress Local Government issues in the Federal agenda. Below are some critical areas in which Local Government needs to consider the role it can in local communities on the national stage. In particular, the 2018 NGA is calling for Motions that provide clear policy advice and/or policy initiatives that will help Local Government to address the following policy challenges:

Housing Affordability

Housing affability is a major challenge in many communities. The Commonwealth frequently asserts that housing affordability is a problem because of the supply of housing. As such there has been a focus on planning reform.

Motions are called for on ways to improve housing supply and improve land use planning and associated local government infrastructure to support increased housing supply.

Financial Sustainability – Oppose Cost Shifting

In 2005 The House of Representatives Inquiry into Cost Shifting from States onto Local Government estimated that cost shifting amounted to between $500m - 1.4b annually. This includes regulatory and other services that Local Government provided on behalf of states without adequate compensation.

Motions are called for on ways to reduce cost shifting from states and the Commonwealth on to Local Government and on areas of regulatory reform and services that Local Government could provide efficiently and effectively on behalf of states or the Commonwealth if appropriately funded.

Innovation and Digital Transformation – Smart Communities

Technological advancements are changing the way councils communicate with citizens and deliver services and infrastructure.

Motions are called for on ways to improve the ability of councils to support their community to understand and benefit from digital transformation, ways to improve data, protect privacy and increase security of council-held data.

Harmonising Local Government Data

National Local Government data is held in a variety of places and is often of variable quality. National advocacy on behalf of Local Government needs a strong evidence base. ALGA has been working with JRA on the State of the Assets project which collects data on the quality and condition of all local government assets. Increasingly, councils are being required to provide data to third parties.

Motions are called for on ways to improve the collection of local government data, how data could be better linked across the sector, and ways to improve the quality of data.

Cyber Security

Recent malware attacks have highlighted the vulnerability of business and government computer systems. Strong measurers are required to ensure that all Australians and Australian businesses and governments are aware of the risks and take appropriate measures to ensure cyber security.

Motions are called for on ways to improve local government cyber security.

Environment

Local Government plays a critical role in environmental management, with actions often embedded into other day to day operations as well as included in economic management considerations

Motions are called for on what should be national priorities and on ways to improve environmental management systems, waste management, product stewardship and biodiversity.

Regional Development

Local Government plays a critical role in regional development, with an active role working with neighbouring councils, industry, state government agencies, community and other key stakeholders to set and achieve regional goals.

Motions are called for on ways to improve regional policy approaches, funding ideas on regional sustainability and equity.

Motions should be lodged electronically using the online form available on the NGA webpage at: alga.asn.au. All Motions require, among other things, a contact officer, a clear national objective, a summary of the key arguments in support of the motion, and the endorsement of your Council.

Motions should be received by ALGA no later than 11:59pm on Friday 30 March 2018.

Established ALGA Policy Areas

Financial Assistance Grants

Adequate and appropriate Local Government services and infrastructure are critical to all communities. The Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants are important to all councils. Success has been achieved in the last 12 months by restoration of the indexation of the Financial Assistance Grants (FAGs). ALGA’s priority in this area is to continue advocating for FAGs funding

to be increased to a level equal to at least one per cent of commonwealth taxation revenue.

Freight Strategy

Local government manages around 75 per cent of Australia’s local roads network. These roads were generally built decades ago and today are required to carry increasing amounts of freight, including higher productivity vehicles. Poor and unsafe roads are a barrier to increased productivity. ALGA’s priority is the promotion and development of a freight strategy with funding of $200m per year for five years to address first and last mile access issues, leading to an increase in local, regional and national productivity.

Roads to Recovery

The Roads to Recovery Program provides councils with essential additional funding to help address the backlog of maintenance and renewal of local roads. Success was achieved with Roads to Recovery by having the expiration date removed and essentially creating an ongoing program. Further work in this area is being undertaken to ensure Roads to Recovery funding is permanently doubled.

Additional Local Roads Funding for South Australia

Additional funding for South Australian local roads to address an anomaly in FAGs ceased in 2014. It was reinstated in 2017– 18 but only for two years. The focus is now on securing ongoing additional funding for South Australian local roads, indexed annually in line with FAGs.

Climate Change Plans

Many councils are addressing or wish to address climate change. With the important role Local Government can play helping the Australian Government to achieve internationally agreed climate change targets, a priority has been placed on supporting councils to work with local

businesses and communities to implement local and regional Climate Change Adaptation Plans.

Indigenous

Addressing Indigenous disadvantage across Australia is a priority for all Australian governments. Advocacy is about closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in the areas of housing, health, early childhood development, education, economic participation and remote service delivery.

Community Infrastructure

Funding support for community infrastructure will enable all local councils to plan and deliver adequate and appropriate community infrastructure. ALGA is urging political parties to commit to specific local government community infrastructure funding at the level of $300 million per annum over the next four years.

ITEM G03 Governance Committee 12/02/18



1. Office of Local Government Council Circular 17-39

SUBJECT: Consultation on Proposed Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines

AUTHOR: Melissa Dunlop, Governance Co-ordinator


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Council is invited to make a submission to the Office of Local Government in relation to the proposed Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines by 16 March 2018. Under the Guidelines, Council’s induction and professional development programs are to consist of three elements:

• Pre-election candidate sessions;• Induction program; and• Professional development program.

Council will be required to report to the Council on the induction and ongoing professional development activities offered to the Mayor and each Councillor, whether they participated in these activities and make this information publicly available on Council’s website.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

There is a total of $18,000 allocated in the 2017/18 budget for Councillor conferences and training. $7,545 has been spent to date.

RECOMMENDATION: 1. THAT Council determine if a submission should be made to the Office of Local Governmentregarding the Proposed Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines.

Report of Melissa Dunlop, Governance Co-ordinator Re: Consultation on Proposed Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines

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LINK TO COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN

The relationship with the Community Strategic Plan is as follows:

Direction: 5. Our Civic Leadership

Outcome: 5.1 Council leads the strategic direction of North Sydney

BACKGROUND

Amendments were made to the Local Government Act 1993 by the Local Government Amendment (Governance and Planning) Act 2016 in August 2016 resulting in the inclusion of a responsibility under section 232 for Councillors “to make all reasonable efforts to acquire and maintain the skills necessary to perform the role of a councillor”.

Council is invited to make a submission to the Office of Local Government in relation to the proposed Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines by 16 March 2018. Under the Guidelines, Council’s induction and professional development programs are to consist of three elements:

• Pre-election candidate sessions;• Induction program; and• Professional development program.

Council will be required to report to the Council on the induction and ongoing professional development activities offered to the Mayor and each Councillor, whether they participated in these activities and make this information publicly available on Council’s website.

A copy of Circular 17-39 dated 6 December 2017 is attached.


Community engagement is not required.


The sustainability implications are of a minor nature and did not warrant a detailed assessment.

DETAIL

Since the 2017 Council elections, Councillors have participated in the following training/seminars:

• Code of Meeting Principles and Practices – 9 Councillors;• Code of Conduct for Councillors and Staff – 9 Councillors; and• Hit the Ground Running – 3 Councillors.

Report of Melissa Dunlop, Governance Co-ordinator Re: Consultation on Proposed Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines

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LGNSW has released an interactive version of the Local Government Capability Framework which is designed to support Mayors and Councillors with their personal and professional development planning. There is also a self-assessment online tool “PD-in-a-Box” which can be used by Councillors to identify strengths and areas for development. All Councillors should have received information in relation to this Framework in mid-December 2017. Information about the Framework can also be accessed via the website: https://www.lgnsw.org.au/capability

In the Capability Framework, there are 16 core capabilities divided into the following four groups:

• Personal Attributes;• Relationships;• Results; and• Resources.

Four additional capabilities are required for Civic Leadership as follows:

• Represent Communities;• Inspire Direction and Purpose;• Govern Responsibly; and• Make Quality Decisions.

For elected members, each capability is described at Councillor level and most are also described at Mayor level, reflecting additional responsibilities and challenges facing Mayors.

The Attachment to Circular 17-39 dated 6 December 2017 outlines the proposed amendments to the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005. Council should note the following points in particular:

• Mayors and Councillors must make all reasonable efforts to participate in the activitiesoffered to them as part of an induction or ongoing professional development program.

• The General Manager is to report to the first Council meeting held following 30 June ineach year identifying the ongoing professional development activities offered to the Mayorand each Councillor in the year to 30 June as part of the professional development program,and whether or not the Mayor and each Councillor participated in the activities offered tothem under the program.

• The General Manager is to ensure these reports are published on the Council’s website.

Should Council wish to make a submission regarding the proposed Guidelines, a further report can be prepared for the 19 February 2018 Council meeting.

https://www.lgnsw.org.au/capability

Office of Local Government 5 O’Keefe Avenue NOWRA NSW 2541 Locked Bag 3015 NOWRA NSW 2541 T 02 4428 4100 F 02 4428 4199 TTY 02 4428 4209 E [email protected] W www.olg.nsw.gov.au ABN 44 913 630 046

Circular Details Circular No 17-39 / 6 December 2017 / A573908 Previous Circular 16-52 Induction and Professional Development for Mayors and

Councillors

Who should read this Mayors / Councillors / General Managers / Council governance staff

Contact Council Governance Team – 02 4428 4100 Action required Response to OLG

Consultation on the Proposed Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines What’s new or changing

Amendments made to the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) by the Local Government Amendment (Governance and Planning) Act 2016 in August 2016 saw the inclusion in the prescribed role of councillors under section 232 a responsibility “to make all reasonable efforts to acquire and maintain the skills necessary to perform the role of a councillor”.

In support of this, the amendments allow regulations to be made for induction and other professional development for mayors and councillors. The proposed regulations are described in the attachment to this circular.

The Office of Local Government (OLG) has prepared guidelines to assist councils to develop and deliver induction and ongoing professional development activities for their mayor and councillors in compliance with the proposed regulations. These will be issued under section 23A of the Act.

OLG has issued a consultation draft of the proposed guidelines for comment prior to their being finalised.

What this will mean for your council

Under the guidelines, councils’ induction and professional development programs are to consist of three elements:

o Pre-election candidate sessions – these are to ensure prospective candidates are aware of what will be expected of them if elected (these are not mandatory but are encouraged)

o Induction program – this aims to equip mayors and councillors with the information they need to perform their role effectively over the first few months and has a particular focus on building positive, collaborative relationships between councillors and with staff

o Professional development program – this is to be developed in consultation with all councillors and delivered over the term of the council to build the skills, knowledge and personal attributes necessary to be an effective mayor or councillor.

Councils will be required to report to the council on the induction and ongoing professional development activities offered to the mayor and each councillor and whether they participated in them and to make this information publicly available on their websites.

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Office of Local Government 5 O’Keefe Avenue NOWRA NSW 2541 Locked Bag 3015 NOWRA NSW 2541 T 02 4428 4100 F 02 4428 4199 TTY 02 4428 4209 E [email protected] W www.olg.nsw.gov.au ABN 44 913 630 046

Key points OLG is inviting submissions from councils and other stakeholders on the

consultation draft of the Councillor Induction and Professional DevelopmentGuidelines.

The consultation draft of the Councillor Induction and ProfessionalDevelopment Guidelines is available on OLG’s website atwww.olg.nsw.gov.au.

Submissions may be made by email to [email protected]. Submissions should be labelled “Councillor Induction and Professional

Development Guidelines Consultation” and marked to the attention of OLG’sCouncil Governance Team.

Submissions should be made by COB Friday 16 March 2018.

Where to go for further information For further information, contact OLG’s Council Governance Team on (02) 4428

4100.

Penny Holloway Acting Chief Executive

http://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/

mailto:[email protected]

3 Attachment

Proposed Amendments to the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005

Councillor Induction and Professional Development Programs

The general manager is to ensure an induction program is delivered fornewly elected and returning councillors and a specialised supplementaryinduction program for the mayor within six months of their election.

The general manager is to ensure an ongoing professional developmentprogram is delivered for the mayor and each councillor over the term ofthe council for the purposes of assisting them to acquire and maintain theknowledge and skills necessary to perform their roles.

The content of the ongoing professional development program to bedelivered to the mayor and councillors is to be determined in consultationwith the mayor and each councillor and is to have regard to the specificknowledge and skills required by the mayor, each individual councillor andthe governing body as a whole to perform their roles.

Mayors and councillors must make all reasonable efforts to participate inthe activities offered to them as part of an induction or ongoingprofessional development program.

The general manager is to report to the first council meeting held followingthe completion of the delivery of the induction program identifying theactivities offered to the mayor and each councillor as part of the inductionprogram, and whether or not the mayor and each councillor participated inthe activities offered to them.

The general manager is to report to the first council meeting held following30 June in each year identifying the ongoing professional developmentactivities offered to the mayor and each councillor in the year to 30 Juneas part of the professional development program, and whether or not themayor and each councillor participated in the activities offered to themunder the program.

The general manager is to ensure these reports are published on thecouncil’s website.

The Chief Executive of the Office of Local Government may, at the requestof a general manager, exempt the council from the requirement to publishdetails of induction and ongoing professional development activitiesoffered to the mayor or an individual councillor where he or she is satisfiedthat there are exceptional circumstances.

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