VLGA End of term councillor survey – results are in
The VLGA End of term survey has now closed and we thank the large number of councillors who responded. The report will be available for you soon. In the meantime, here are some highlights from the things you told us. Councillors from 51 local governments responded – 38.5% were first term councillors, and 30% were in their second term. The picture you gave us of family and carer responsibilities was interesting. Of those respondents with partners, around 60% of partners work full or part time. If we keep in mind that around two-thirds of councillors work full- or part-time also, and a lot of council work is undertaken in the evenings or on weekends, we can see the ‘juggling’ pressures that exist for families. A small number of councillors told us they resigned from paid work because they could not meet the demands of both work and council. Of course, as we anticipated, remuneration levels also figured highly in your concerns. Those of you at the time of the survey who couldn’t decide whether or not you wanted to run for local government again were influenced by low pay more than any other factor. However, we asked some different questions this year which revealed some new themes – 41.5% of you told us that being a councillor has had a positive impact on your careers. Previous surveys have focused on the ‘costs’ of being a councillor – often the financial costs of missed promotions, time off work, etc. When given the opportunity to think more broadly about this, many of you identified positive career outcomes such as the development of new skill sets and new areas of knowledge. You also told us that you were generally very happy with the support from council administrations – 73% of you said it was ‘very good’ or ‘good’. Also on a positive note, many of you had decided to stand again, and your main reason was to see through projects you had started and changes you had been closely associated with. More news on the survey next week! It’s Mental Health Week in Victoria and World Mental Health Day is this Thursday. Click the links to find out more about these important initiatives.
Maree McPherson
Chief Executive Officer
Keeping you up to date
Good Governance Guide goes live today!
The vision is now complete – the VLGA is delighted, along with our partners, the MAV, Local Government Victoria, and LGPro, to advise all our members that the new, dedicated website version of the Good Governance Guide has gone live today, and has been sent to all local governments. You can access the site here.
2012 VLGA Essential Councillor Weekend – ‘Year one… here we go!’
Registrations are coming in and we have limited places – so book early to avoid disappointment. We are offering local governments the opportunity to book a couple of ‘nameless’ places now at the early-bird rate before next month’s Elections, as we realise you won’t know exactly who might be attending. See the VLGA events section below for more details.
VLGA Annual Report now availableLast Thursday evening we held another successful AGM, with our guest speaker Alan Attwood from The Big Issue. Our Annual Report is now available for members to view. If you missed the AGM and wish to see Alan speaking, you can watch our web-cast.
Constitutional recognition of local government
Members might be interested to read this excellent article on constitutional recognition, It's time to recognise the value of councils via the next referendum, by Dr Dean Jaensch of Flinders University that featured in Adelaide Now on 2 October.
Representative local democracy: an analysis of experience in Australia
What is the right number of elected members to properly represent and manage a community's interests? How should wards and boundaries be determined? These are the kind of questions that a new research project on 'Representative local democracy: an analysis of experience in Australia' is investigating. The VLGA is partnering with the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) to analyse the approaches taken across the country to address the question of representation.
Local Authorities Superannuation Fund
As reported in recent eNews bulletins, the VLGA has sought the Prime Minister’s support to remove the 15% contributions tax that local governments will be required to pay on the shortfall; and for legislation that will return the scheme to an exempt public sector fund, thereby removing the requirement to ensure full funding. We recently wrote to all other Victorian Members of the House of Representatives encouraging them to meet with the local governments in their electorates to understand the impacts on the infrastructure and services provided to their local communities, and to support our call for new legislation. A number of MPs have either called us or responded in writing and will be seeking meetings with their relevant local governments. Several have also raised the matter with the Prime Minister and Minister Crean.
Don’t forget – John Jago Good Governance Award 2012 first-stage applications close Friday 19 October
The John Jago Good Governance Award is awarded annually to a VLGA member local government or community group (or groupings) whose governance and leadership practices have led to improved public participation in decision-making. Applications for the 2012 Award are now invited. There is a two-stage process and first-stage applications should be submitted to the VLGA by Friday 19 October. Applications can be emailed or sent as hard copy. Further information can be found on our website or by contacting Ron Exiner, Director Governance, on 9349 7999 or via email.
Premier’s Sustainability Awards 2012 – congratulations!
Congratulations to the 2012 winners of the Premier’s Sustainability Awards, in particular Local Government Award winners, Brimbank City Council; State Government Award winners, which included Alpine Shire Council as a partner; and Community Award winners, Kildonan Uniting Care and Moreland Energy Foundation.
Melton becomes a City
Congratulations to Melton City Council! Melton has been declared a City by the Minister for Local Government, Jeanette Powell.
National Butt FREE Day a First!
On Thursday 18 October, Australia is hoping for a “Butt Free kind of Day”. It’s the first National Butt Free Day – when all of us can highlight the environmental threat posed by the seven billion butts being littered every year around Australia. Butt Free Day is being implemented in all states using the resources of the Butt Free website. Butt Free Australia needs individuals, businesses and organisations to register as supporters of Butt Free Day 2012 to generate greater community awareness of the problem. To register, email or telephone (08) 8234 7255.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
VLGA end of term ‘thank you’ for member councillors
Thursday 18 October, 6-8pm
The Leveson, 46 Leveson St, North Melbourne
VLGA member councillors are invited to join us for a barbeque dinner and an evening of networking, and to enable us to say ‘thanks’ for your commitment to local government and your community. This is a free event for VLGA member councillors. Register by emailing TODAY!
2012 VLGA Essential Councillor Weekend – ‘Year one… here we go!’
23-24 November
The Wyndham Resort, Torquay
Numbers are limited and there is an early bird discount for those who get in quickly. You can download the program and registration form from our website. These two days will feature a number of expert-led practical workshops and networking opportunities relevant to how councillors approach the first year of the new council term. To find out more contact Sarah Colgan, Member Resources Officer via email or telephone (03) 9349 7983.
Other Events
Thriving Neighbourhoods 2012
12-14 November
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Southwharf
Thriving Neighbourhoods is an international conference on emerging approaches to the planning, design and management of local neighbourhoods that are set to radically improve health, social engagement, environmental quality and productivity in communities. As a conference supporter, VLGA members are entitled to significant discounts: up to $260 off the full registration fee.
ECCV 2012 State Conference: Victoria’s Multicultural Identity
Tuesday 20 November
Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre
Registrations for Victoria’s Multicultural Identity State Conference are now open. The Conference will bring together government, policy makers, academics, service providers and community leaders to find intelligent solutions to Victoria’s identity challenges.
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