President’s Message
Last Thursday’s VLGA Leading Edge Forum was thoroughly engaging and the audience of councillors, officers and community members learned a tremendous amount about the metropolitan planning strategy (MPS) and its implications for Melbourne, regional cities and the wider State. If you couldn’t be there, tune in to our webcast at any time to hear quotes from speakers such as:
“…the State Government is not the natural custodian of metropolitan strategies…”
“…we need to break the nexus in thinking that the MPS is a document just linked to planning schemes…”
“…great cities don’t just happen…”
The VLGA’s Director Policy, Toby Archer also spoke of the need for long-term, bi-partisan support for metropolitan planning, which led to a wider discussion about the governance implications of the MPS. It was a terrific night and, if you don’t have time straight away to watch the webcast, you can download the four presentations. The debate was happening on the tails of Planning Minister Matthew Guy’s announcement of new planning zones for Victoria. I look forward to seeing many of you around and about - please don’t hesitate to be in touch on 0407 364 509 if I can be of assistance.
Cr Samantha Dunn
President
Keeping you up to date
VLGA Good Governance Grab – ‘The Council Plan: Setting the Agenda for the Term’
Following the VLGA’s two successful councillor development sessions ‘Putting together your first council plan’, we have issued our latest Good Governance Grab. This publication is designed to provide clarification and tips on the council planning process and the councillor’s role in this. While councillors are responsible for setting strategy and determining priorities throughout the council term, developing the Council Plan presents councillors with an opportunity to work with their fellow councillors, the council administration and the community to document the council’s objectives and strategies for the next four years. The VLGA’s Good Governance Grabs are issued throughout the year to assist councillors and officers to consider a range of themes.
Women’s leadership growing in local government
Minister Powell marked International Women’s Day with a media release applauding the fact that women have an increased leadership role in Victorian local government, following the 2012 council elections and the VLGA’s Think Women for Local Government 2012 Project. You can read Minister Powell’s release online.
Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 – draft guidelines for Victorian Traditional Owner Groups seeking a settlement
The Department of Justice is seeking public comment on its ‘Draft Threshold Guidelines for Victorian Traditional Owner Groups seeking a Settlement under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010’. The VLGA encourages local governments and communities to respond to the draft guidelines by the deadline date of Friday 5 April.
Human Rights reporting – closes the end of this week!
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) is preparing its 2012 report on the operation of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. Each year the VEOHRC asks local governments to report on how they are complying with the Charter through an online survey. You can find a link to the survey and information on the VLGA website. Reports from local governments are due this Friday 15 March. Make sure your local government responds.
No support yet on superannuation liability
In an article in The Weekly Times on 7 March, it was reported that both the Australian and Victorian Governments are denying responsibility for assisting local governments with the Local Authorities Defined Benefits Superannuation Scheme top-up. The VLGA lobbied all Victorian federal MPs last year for their assistance to return to an unfunded scheme. In the article, a spokeswoman for Minister Shorten describes the issue as one for local governments and the Victorian Government; while Victorian Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell was clear that the matter comes under federal legislation. This is an unhelpful ‘stand-off’ and one which the VLGA is keen to see resolved quickly in the interests of local governments in Victoria who could be asked to make other top-ups to the fund in future years.
Service Sector Reform Project
The Service Sector Reform Project, which is being independently led by Professor Peter Shergold AC, in partnership with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) is investigating ways to help improve outcomes for those in need while adjusting to the increasing cost and demand pressures which face the whole community services system. VLGA community chapter and local government members may be interested in Professor Shergold’s discussion paper, Towards a more effective and sustainable community services system. Visit the VCOSS website for more information
Supporter of the Year for social procurement
Social Traders together with Foresters Community Finance are running the Australian Social Enterprise Awards. As part of the Awards, a category has been developed to recognise businesses and government departments that are actively engaging social enterprises in their supply chain. Read the criteria and apply before Thursday 21 March 2013.
Social enterprises and local government
The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) has released a new scoping study that explores the relationship between social enterprises and local governments. Entitled Social Enterprises and Local Government: A Scoping Study the paper outlines current knowledge about local governments in Australia and overseas working with social enterprises to achieve collaborative place-based solutions to current challenges facing communities. You can read more about the report, and download it in full at the ACELG website.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
Tackling problem gambling – what can your council do?
Thursday 14 March, 5.30-8.30pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
As part of the VLGA’s ongoing advocacy on gambling reform, the Association is hosting an interactive forum for councillors to discuss the role of local governments in problem gambling policy in Victoria. Registered councillors are invited to bring an officer to the session. Register to attend online.
‘The Council – CEO Relationship: Managing Performance’
Wednesday 20 March 5.30-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
Following this very successful Masterclass at the VLGA’s Essential Mayors’ Weekend, we are opening this session up for all councillors. Council’s role includes appointing and managing the CEO. This discussion workshop and panel will explore why performance management is important, why councillors have a role in providing quality feedback and how both parties can benefit from a strong process. Download the flyer and registration form.
April ‘Leading Edge’ Forum - Strengthening democracy: improving local government elections
Thursday 4 April, 6-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
Strengthening democracy is in the VLGA’s DNA. It’s why we were founded, and continues to be a key part of our mission today. With the 2012 local government elections completed, it’s time to reflect on how local democracy can be improved. This Leading Edge Forum is the first stage in a public conversation the VLGA is conducting. This workshop-style forum will explore key challenges such as how to:
* increase community participation in the electoral process
* enhance transparency and accountability
* ‘raise the bar’ on election campaign conduct.
This is a key opportunity to express your issues and concerns, and to discuss your solutions to the challenges of local democracy. It’s a chance to draw on the insight of all those who care about local democracy including councillors, election candidates, local government officers, community activists and voters at large. The forum will help develop a stronger evidence base about what is working in local government elections and how things can be improved. Findings will contribute to a VLGA discussion paper on strengthening local democracy, for release later in 2013. Register to attend here.
*Note - where registration numbers are limited, VLGA members will be given priority
Other Events
Community Indicators Victoria (CIV)
‘How to use CIV in Municipal Health and Wellbeing Planning’
Tuesday 26 March, 9-11.30am
Level 3, 207 Bouverie St, Carlton
This half-day training is designed specifically for people who are responsible for preparing Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans. Whether you have used the CIV portal from time to time or are yet to discover how CIV may strengthen your evidence base, this training will equip you with useful tools you can apply in your everyday work. Register online.
‘Innovation and Reform in Local Government:
Local Voice, Participation and New Social Infrastructure’
Tuesday 26 March
Melbourne
This conference will explore ideas and strategies for innovation and reform in local government and local communities. Some local governments in Australia and around the world have introduced precincts for citizens to meet, deliberate, and introduce innovations. In local governance, there is interest in the idea of local precincts in several different areas. This conference aims to identify and develop innovation and reform ideas that empower local communities and introduce new enabling roles for local government. It will also explore various changes in the culture and structure of local government that are needed if they are to perform these enabling roles. Find out more here or register your interest in presenting here.
Local Government Social Procurement Forum - FREE
Tuesday 16 April, 9am-1.30pm (includes lunch)
Footscray Town Hall, cnr Hyde & Napier St, Footscray
Social procurement involves the purchase of goods or services and social outcomes. Interest in social procurement has been growing since 2010 when resources were developed and projects were undertaken to support local government in Victoria to socially procure. So what’s happening? Who is doing what? Who is doing it well? How can we continue to progress this vital work? This half day forum is designed to provide opportunities to:
* meet and network with other local governments that are interested in, developing or undertaking social procurement
* hear from a panel of organisations that are socially procuring
* get up to date on available resources and materials from the leading thinkers in this space.
Send inquiries via email and RSVP via a short survey.
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