VLGA President’s Message
Congratulations to the winners of the 2012 VLGA John Jago Award – the City of Manningham for its Generation 2030 Community Plan. The award was presented at our Christmas function for members and friends on Thursday evening. Other finalists presented with Highly Commended certificates were the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and the City of Whitehorse for their Plan Peninsula and Audit Committee Charter Review respectively. Our external judges found it difficult to pick one winner out of these terrific entries and, of course, the real winner is good governance. Congratulations! On 3 December, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, David Morris MP, Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries, released the Tomorrow’s Library Stage One Report to Minister Powell. In our submission to the Stage One consultation, the VLGA emphasised the importance of providing adequate and sustainable funding for library services over the longer term. We argued that public libraries are the most commonly used community service in Victoria. Libraries provide story-times for children, English classes for migrants, computer and internet training, DVDs and CDs, linkages to adult, community and further education, and many more services. Despite the vital importance of public libraries, Victoria continues to have a low level of per capita expenditure on libraries and ongoing funding remains on an unsustainable footing. We welcome the Stage One Report and the intent expressed within it; however, we remain concerned that funding decisions by the Victorian Government may create a further gap in operational costs that local governments will be forced to meet. We are therefore appreciative of the Minister’s commitment to develop a genuinely co-operative partnership between the Victorian Government and the local government sector. We look forward to the Stage Two consultations, which will be focused on funding options. While on this topic, I extend the VLGA Board’s sincere thanks to former councillor Mandi Stewart from the Horsham Rural City Council who was the VLGA’s elected representative on the Ministerial Advisory Council until she retired from Council in October – thanks so much Mandi. Today is Human Rights Day and the start of Human Rights Week. We have been running our VLGA’s 16 Days of Action again this year to assist local governments think about how to take action from the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, or White Ribbon Day (as we know it here), on 25 November through to International Human Rights Day today. It is also the 20th anniversary of ‘The Redfern Speech’ – when former Prime Minister Paul Keating launched the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples at Redfern in Sydney. You can watch the speech today here. Please don’t hesitate to email or give me a call on 0407 364 509 if there’s anything you wish to discuss. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn
President
Keeping you up to date
Call for EOIs – plus, Accord gets new name
On 30 November the Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Environment, Donna Petrovich MP, released the out-going Victorian Local Sustainability Advisory Committee's report Victorian Local Sustainability Accord 2010-2012 Program Achievements. The Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith has also announced a new name for the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord (of which the VLGA is a partner) – the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership. Minister Smith is calling for Expressions of Interest for a new Ministerial Advisory Committee to oversee the Partnership including new Terms of Reference. You can see the report, Terms of Reference and Expressions of Interest documentation here.
Performance reporting in local government
The Victorian Government is developing a performance reporting framework for local governments based on recommendations by the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office and work undertaken by the Essential Services Commission. Local Government Victoria has released a Directions Paper which provides an overview of the key features of the new performance reporting framework and the process for implementation. LGV will be conducting an online discussion forum and formal submissions will be sought in April and May 2013.
Differential rates consultation commences
Last week, the Minister for Local Government announced the consultation program to develop the new ministerial guidelines for the use of differential rates. Minister Powell has established a Differential Rates Ministerial Council chaired by David Morris, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government.
How can local governments minimise the impacts of alcohol in communities?
We know that many member councillors are concerned about alcohol use in their local communities. Here are two really interesting initiatives. febfast 2013 is an opportunity for people to take a break from alcohol after the festive season while raising funds to enable young people to recover from serious alcohol and drug-related issues. YSAS runs febfast as an annual campaign. The febfast website opens for team registrations today. Another interesting program is Hello Sunday Morning – a space for any individual to take responsibility and change their drinking behaviour.
Collaborative Procurement - EOIsLocal Government Victoria (LGV) is seeking expressions of interest from groups of local governments to undertake a collaborative procurement process. For further information visit the LGV website.
Advice services for NFPs – ACNC is launched
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is Australia’s first national, independent regulator for the not-for-profit sector. This follows years of advocacy for a dedicated regulator from peak bodies within the sector and key stakeholders. The ACNC is now responsible for regulating registered charities, and the Australian Government's intent is to eventually encompass the broader NFP sector as well. Advice Services are now available on 13 ACNC (13 22 62) via email.
Winners! Fire Awareness Awards 2012
The VLGA congratulates the City of Greater Shepparton and the Alpine Shire Council on their success at the 2012 Fire Awareness Awards. Shepparton picked up the Community – Aged/Disability award, and Alpine won the Government and Municipal category. For a full list of award winners go here.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
2013 VLGA Essential Mayors’ Weekend: Leading from the start of the new council term
17-19 January 2013
Peppers Moonah Links, Fingal, Mornington Peninsula
For the past decade, the VLGA has conducted our Essential Mayors’ Weekend. Each year, mayors come together for an intensive three-day program. The 2013 dinner speakers include The Hon Jeanette Powell, Minister for Local Government, and The Hon Richard Wynne, Shadow Minister. There will also be opportunities for mayoral mentoring with experienced mayors from across the State. This is a not-to-be-missed development event, which builds connections and relationships for the mayoral term. Comments from 2012 participants include:
“I can't imagine getting much more value out of two days.”
“As usual, excellent and relevant speakers. Great interaction between speakers and Mayors.”
“It gets better every year.”
To find out more, contact Member Resources Officer Sarah Colgan on 9349 7983 or via email.
‘Being Deputy Mayor’
Thursday 21 February 2013, 5.30-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA is offering our popular development session for those serving as Deputy Mayor in 2013. There is no uniform role for Deputy Mayors, and this can be particularly challenging. The session will include time to explore your individual needs and circumstances and those of your council. Download the flyer and registration form here.
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