In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Julie Hansen, President of the Victorian Local Governance Association.
As the first four year Councillor terms begin to roll out in Victoria, it is timely to acknowledge Councillors’ complex roles, and their ongoing training and development. At the level of government most able to respond to community needs, interest and aspirations, the VLGA has actively identified that there is great interest in providing an integrated training and development framework for Councillors.
Training and development provides benefits while Councillors are in office, and enables the positives to be linked to other spheres when one steps out of public office.
Unlike the State and Commonwealth Governments, Local Government is relatively independent of major political party influence. Councillors are generally remunerated in ways that support part time representatives, and State Governments are usually happy to keep it that way. State and Federal Members of Parliament, when elected fall into carefully designed mentoring programs that work to enhance understanding of systems, procedures, processes, protocols and behaviours. These programs are established to protect the institutions of government and to quickly adapt new members.
This training is supported by the reality that even with changes of government there is never a wholesale removal of all members so there is always a collective memory enjoyed by the other two spheres of government.
The Victorian experience of amalgamations, now being rolled out in other States, has left a legacy of a newly strengthened administration and Chief Executive, supported by professional associations, training and educational providers.
The agenda items of Council meetings in many Victorian Local Governments have a much more strategic focus, involved an extensive consultation and engagement strategy and are allocated many more dollars in the Council budget. Yet, the corresponding focus on Councillor training has ranged from excellent in some Local Governments to requiring much improvement.
Against the backdrop of the ‘local’ assuming even greater importance in citizens lives, the VLGA is leading the Victorian sector to strategically acknowledge the need to prepare Councillors for their roles and provide ongoing, continuously evaluated professional development.
Integrated training and support for Councillors is essential if we want strong Local Governments that both reflect and leads communities.
Traditionally, training has focused on often articulated requests around enhancing presentation and speech making, managing media performance and understanding budgets and finances. Clearly, emerging challenges to training include understanding good governance, the importance of productive working relationships and managing conflict.
The work of Councillors is not prescribed, its success is highly dependent on understanding others, managing difference and how we conduct ourselves.
Similarly the VLGA leads in conducting an annual retreat for Mayors at the commencement of each Mayoral term. Now in its fourth year, it provides an opportunity for information sharing between experienced Mayors and newer colleagues.
Sessions include personal goal setting, developing an understanding of how leadership is exercised, relationships are built and support structures are created. This weekend is now a regular part of the Victorian Local Government calendar and promotes a strong collegiate group of Mayors.
Over the past few months the VLGA in partnership with Innoven and Goulburn Ovens TAFE has undertaken the highly acclaimed Accredited Training program for Councillors.
‘Local Government Leadership: The Effective Councillor’ package is the first of its kind in Australia and will be offered several times a year throughout the State. This program grew from our research indicating Councillors actively representing communities, and those moving on to other challenges, wanted some formal acknowledgement for their learning on the job, skills acquired as a Councillor, and to encourage a greater diversity of potential Councillors to stand for election.
Throughout Australia as amalgamations become more commonplace, the VLGA believes that a rolling program of best practice professional development opportunities for democratically elected representatives is critical to strengthening the role and capacity of Councillors, strengthening Local Governments and strengthening communities.
