Councillor & Officer Resources

Helping you to perform your role

Councillors and Council Officers face huge workloads including a mountain of new information and reading. As we are both ‘closer to the community’ than our counterparts in the 2 other spheres of Government, the pressure to stay on top of our workloads while balancing competing priorities is ever-present.

The sharing of knowledge, tips and advice are critical services provided by the VLGA to build your capacity to perform your Councillor or Officer roles.  Jump to resources.

Confidential Advice & Support

As well as the sharing of knowledge, tips and advice, the VLGA currently has staff with many years of Councillor and/or Officer experience to provide you with confidential advice and support. We give you the space to learn as you grow into your role and to test ideas and address difficult community pressures or governance challenges.

Feel free to give us a call on 03 9349 7999 or email us.

VLGA Good Governance Grab

• Councillors as State or Federal candidates – a conflict? (July 2010)
• Pre-apprehension - Winky Pop (April 2010)
• Councillor-CEO relations (Dec 2009)
  
• Question time at council meetings (Nov 2009)
• Dispute resolution procedures (Oct 2009)
• Conflict of Interest (May 2009)

VLGA Tips and Shortcuts

In this section we provide you with snappy summaries and overviews of complex and lengthy issues and materials. We will also provide you with tips and advice on key challenges.

Supporting and Promoting Accountability and Responsibility for Councillors (SPARC)

VLGA Issues Briefs

In the coming months the VLGA will also be providing both Councillors and Officers with Issues Briefs. These will be a little more detailed than our Tips and Shortcuts, but still far more punchy than the lengthy materials you may receive from others.

Ideas For Resources

If there are widespread calls for resources to deal with current challenges, we may be able to assist! If you have any suggestions feel free to email our Director Policy & Public Affairs, Darren Ray. You can also call Darren on 03 9349 7902.

Don't forget to keep coming back!  In this section of the website we are compiling information you will need on a variety of topics. Visit again soon as we are adding new documents frequently.

Topics

Recent Circulars
Donation Returns and Register of Interests
Councillor Remuneration
Background
Councillor Conduct
Note: please refer to our links page for relevant links to help you in your role.

Recent Circulars

• Circular 6/2010 - Implementation of WorkCover to local government councillors
• Circular 27/2009 - Local Government Access to the Construction Suppliers Register
• Circular 26/2009 - Local Government Access to the Construction Suppliers Register - Mayors
• prACTicalities L78 - Special Rates and Charges

Donation Returns and Register of Interests

• Campaign Donation Returns (prepared by Local Government Victoria)
• Circular 29/2008 - Campaign Donation Return
• Form 1: Register of Interests - Primary Return
• Form 2: Register of Interests - Ordinary Return
• Register of Interests Guide: Primary & Ordinary Returns, June 2009 (published by Local Government Victoria)
• Ordinary Return Template

Councillor Remuneration (Including Workcover)

• Municipal Councillors Workcover Guidelines 2010 - Gazetted on Thursday 1 July 2010, this guideline offers clarity around the duties of a councillor. This guideline was adopted following extensive consultation with the VLGA. 
• Municipal Councillors Fact Sheet - Some very helpful information for elected councillors, CEO's and interested community members.
• Circular 26/2008 - Mayoral and Councillor Allowances and Resources Support (letter from Local Government Victoria)
• Attachment to Circular 26/2008 - Mayoral and Councillor Allowances and Resources Support
• Letter from Minister Wynne Dec 2009 - RE: VLGA feedback on WorkCover

Background

• Remuneration review panel's terms of reference
• VLGA interim submission to the State Government on this topic
• VLGA final submission to the State Government on this topic
• Local Government (Councillor Remuneration Review) Panel, Jan 2008 (published by Local Government Victoria)
• Government Response to the recommendations of the Local Government (Councillor Remuneration Review) Panel Report, April 2008
• Recognition and Support - The Victorian Government’s Policy Statement on Local Government Mayoral and Councillor Allowances and Resources, April 2008
• VLGA's media release issued after the State Government's announcement

Councillor Conduct

The State Government has conducted a review into ways to achieve Better Local Governance. This will affect the ways that complaints about Councillor behaviour will be managed.

• Better Local Governance: Consultation Paper, November 2007 (prepared by the Department of Planning and Community Development)
• VLGA's response to the Consultation Paper, March 2008
• Model Code of Conduct for Victorian Councils, July 2004 (prepared by Local Government Victoria).  Note: all local governments have adopted or amended
• Local Government Amendment (Councillor Conduct & Other Matters) Bill 2008
• Local Government Act online

prACTicalities: guidance to implementing legislative reform in Local Government

• L58: Councillor Conduct Bill Passed
• L59: Amended Requirements for Meetings
• L60: Committee matters
• L61: Oath of Office
• L62: Election of Mayor
• L63: Primary and Ordinary Returns
• L64: Assembly of Councillors
• L65: Right to Make Submissions
• L66: Conflict of Interest
• L67: Council Internet Website
• L69: Conflict of Interest - Printed Guide & Addendum
• L73: Register of Interests - Guide & Template
• L74: Local Government Amendment (Conflicting Duties) Bill 2009
• L75: Conflicts of Interest & Membership of Community Organisations