Title: LGMA CEO Forum Local Government Update
1LGMA CEO ForumLocal Government Update
Michael Kinnane Director-General Department of
Local Government Sport and Recreation
Thursday 19 February, 2009
2Local Government Reform
- Four elements
- Structural and boundary reform
- Legislative reform
- Capacity building
- Performance measurement and reporting
3One Year On
- March 2008 Elections
- Assistance to Local Government (27M)
- New Governance Model for Torres Strait and
Northern Peninsula Area - New Local Government Bill
- Reforms to the Department
- Capacity Building of Councils
- Sustainability and Reporting Process
- QTC Assessments of Amalgamation Costs
- Funding Review for Local Government
4Structural Reform amalgamation costs
- Model template includes
- Costs identified and number of years over which
the costs are incurred - Expected savings including technology usage,
efficiencies in fleet and water, procurement
practices - 10 year financial plans
- Supporting evidence
5Legislative Reform Local Government Bill
- LGMA has proposed 23 amendments 19 of which
Minister will support - Clause 12(3)(a) will be amended to
- clarify that directions from a Mayor to a CEO
must be in accordance with council policy and - clarify the Mayors responsibility for ensuring
the CEOs performance appraisal is carried out,
and that the form of the appraisal may be decided
by the local government.
6Legislative Reform other amendments
- LGAQ proposed 45 amendments 34 of which
Minister will support - Amendment of clauses 122 123 to provide
specific criteria for the suspension or dismissal
of a councillor and for the dissolution of a
local government - Removal of the criminal penalty for Material
Personal Interest breaches
7Capacity Building
- Regionalisation
- Indigenous communities
- Grants and subsidies
- Sustainability and reporting process
8Capacity Building
- Regional location of staff
- FNQ Cairns and Atherton
- North Queensland Townsville, Mount Isa, Mackay
- Central Rockhampton, Emerald, Bundaberg,
Maryborough, Longreach, Hervey Bay - South West Toowoomba, Dalby, Warwick, Roma,
- South East Ipswich, Gold Coast, Sippy Downs,
Beenleigh, Kedron
9Capacity Building
- Host information and training opportunities for
local government employees - Support Major Infrastructure Programs
- Liaise with State agencies to fast track State
interest checks for development approvals - Resolve local problems where State response is
needed - Assist with regional solutions
10Capacity Building
- One governance structure with repeal of the Local
Government (Community Government Areas) Act 2004 - All local governments may take account of
Aboriginal Tradition and Island Custom in
exercising a power - Ability to charge a residential levy in
recognition of non-rateable deed of grant in
trust land in Indigenous council areas - New reporting framework
- Skills Bank
- Replacement for Commonwealth Development
Employment Program
11Better planning and reporting
- New sustainability and reporting framework 5
elements - Asset management
- Community engagement
- Governance
- Long term financial model
- Integrated financial management planning
12Looking Ahead review of grants and subsidies
- Key role to administer in excess of 900m in
grants and subsidies - Accelerate payments
- Minimise deferrals
- Maximise successful completions
- Improve forecasting
-
13Looking Ahead review of grants and subsidies
- System to identify councils which need assistance
- New formal agreements
- Clear timeframes and delivery dates for forward
planning - Assessment criteria e.g. capacity to start and
finish project on time and within budget, ready
to start
14Looking Ahead opportunities for partnerships
- Match funding or opportunities for joint
enterprises - Identify community needs for vital community
infrastructure - Share performance data to maximise eligibility
for direct funds - Monitor progress for grant recipients
- Reduce duplication and identify gaps
15Looking Ahead complete legislative program
- Local Government Bill passed by Parliament by
March 2009 - Local government regulations released for
consultation from April to August 2009, completed
by September 2009 - Local Government Electoral Act by October 2009
- Review of City of Brisbane completed by October
2009 - All new legislation to commence by 10 December
2009
16Looking Ahead Regulations
- Assets management
- Contracting
- Discretionary funds
- Disposal of assets
- Infrastructure management
- Procurement
- Purchasing
- Rating
- Reporting
- Competitive neutrality complaints
- Enterprises
- National Competition Policy
- Corporatisation, e.g. LGOCs
- Commercialisation
- Full cost pricing
- Code of competitive conduct
- Authorised persons
- Committees
- Drafting standards for local laws
- Employee discipline appeals
- General complaints process
- administrative decision making review
- Kuranda rail levy
- Malls and levee banks
- Meetings
- Other appeals
- Processes of the change commission
- Registers of interests
- Review of anti-competitive provisions
- Superannuation board of directors
- Tribunal processes for remuneration decisions
17Looking Ahead current issues
- Improve environmental health outcomes for
Indigenous communities - Address Auditor-Generals concerns through
support to achieve unqualified audits and
financial statements on time - Achieve water savings through water efficiency
and infrastructure programs - Identify State owned land for trail bike use
- Reform subsidy programs to deliver the Waste
Management Strategy - Support the development of efficient waste
management plans and strategies
18Looking Ahead complete Reform Program
- Develop and implement the sustainability and
reporting framework for councils by June 2009 - Implement governance frameworks supporting
council capacity building by 30 June 2009 - Establish integrated funding program processes
and systems for local governments - Accelerate grant allocation and support councils
to complete projects
19Looking Ahead
- Supportive relationship
- Resolving problems through facilitation
- Opportunities for collaboration