With Tasmanian Local Government elections held in October, President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT), Mayor Mike Gaffney, recently launched a new Councillor Resource Kit. The kit will assist new Councillors to become familiar with their roles and responsibilities in Local Government and will also be a useful resource for existing Councillors. It is an update to the previous ‘Elected Member Handbook’ and contains information and guidance in the following areas:
- •the role of LGAT
- understanding the Local Government framework
- Council roles and responsibilities
- tips for effective meetings
- accountability
- policy development and decision making
- understanding Local Government finance
- land use planning
- Councillor learning and
- development
- skills checklist
- key organisations and contacts.
President Gaffney said the kit, which was developed by the Association, is a useful document for all elected members, regardless of their experience in Local Government.
“This revised edition is more concise and user friendly, and will be an invaluable source of information, particularly for newcomers to the Local Government sector,” he said.
Copies of the kit have been distributed to all elected members and are now available for download from the LGAT website at www.lgat.tas.gov.au
For further information contact President Gaffney on 0409 015 253.
