Candidate Information Session Thursday 26 May 2016
About Kingston • Created in 1994 as a result of municipal restructure • Significant residential areas in the west and south, major industrial nodes around Moorabbin, Mordialloc-Braeside, Moorabbin Airport and Clayton South • Home to a large industrial area, an airport, world-class golf courses and areas of high environmental value such as the Ramsar wetlands in Edithvale/Seaford, the Green Wedge and 13 km of Port Phillip Bay coastline.
About Kingston
About the Council
Child care
M&CH and Immunisation
World class sporting facilities
Libraries and education
Community festivals
Youth Services
Foreshore maintenance
Aged & Disability Services
Arts
School aged care
Waste
Town planning
Organisational structure
Ward structure 19,282 North Ward households Central Ward 4,245 businesses South Ward 21,723 • 9 Councillors households • 3 represent each ward 4,078 businesses 22,316 households 1,294 businesses
The role of a Councillor Local Government Act 1989 Section 65 1. The role of a Councillor a) participate in the decision-making of the Council b) represent the local community in that decision-making c) contribute to the strategic direction of the Council through the development and review of key strategic documents of the Council, including the Council Plan.
The role of a Councillor Local Government Act 1989 Section 65 2. In performing the role of a Councillor, a Councillor must: a) consider the diversity of interests and needs of the local community b) observe principles of good governance and act with integrity c) provide civic leadership in relation to the exercise of the various functions and responsibilities of the Council under this Act and other Acts d) participate in the responsible allocation of the resources of Council through the annual budget e) facilitate effective communication between the Council and the community. 3. The role of a Councillor does not include the performance of any functions that are specified as functions of the Chief Executive Officer under Section 94A .
Role of Chief Executive Officer • The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has a number of responsibilities which are set out in Section 94 A of the Local Government Act 1989. • These include : – establishing and maintaining an appropriate organisational structure for the Council, – ensuring that Council decisions are implemented promptly, – overseeing the daily management of Council operations – following the Council Plan, – developing a code of conduct for Council staff – providing timely advice to the Council. • The CEO is also the main person to which Council delegates powers.
Meetings • Ordinary Council Meetings are currently held at 7pm on the fourth Monday of each month at our Cheltenham office. These meetings are open to the public. • Planning committee meetings are currently held at 7pm on the Wednesday prior to the ordinary council meeting at our Cheltenham office. These meetings are open to the public. • Other: – Preliminary conferences – Special meetings Kingston provides a live stream of Council Meetings on our website, where you’ll also find meeting agendas and minutes.
Decision Making Process • Councillor Information Sessions (CIS) – used to prepare for Ordinary Council or Planning Committee Meetings • Council Meetings are formal decision making meetings • An individual Councillor cannot make a decision that binds Council by themselves • Local Law: Meeting Procedures Commenced September 2015
Councillor obligations include: • Ordinary Council Meetings • Councillor Information Sessions: – Planning (once a month) – Strategic (twice a month) • Special Meetings • Preliminary conferences Other commitments: • Advisory committees (8) • Civic duties (e.g. citizenship ceremonies, Australia Day, ANZAC Day)
Example of meeting cycle
Ordinary Council Meetings
Planning Committee
Planning CIS
Strategic CIS
Citizenship Ceremonies
Civic Events & Festivals
Annual snapshot
Councillor allowances and support Allowances (effective 1 December 2015) • Councillors $28,892.66 • Mayor $86,677.99 Expenses • Councillors are entitled to be reimbursed for any necessary out- of-pocket expenses they incur while performing their duties as a councillor. • Councils are also required to adopt and maintain a policy in relation to the reimbursement of councillor expenses. • It is a requirement of the Local Government Act (Section 73(A) that the allowance categories be reviewed annually and prior to the election period.
Eligibility Australian Citizen Enrolled in the municipality • Need not be enrolled in the ward for which you nominate Not disqualified by any other criteria (see Local Government Act 1989 ) , or Have an exemption from certain disqualifications granted by VCAT Elected by voters
Campaign To campaign effectively you need to plan and be prepared. It is important that you know: • information about the area in which you are standing • information about the procedure of the election and voting processes. The earlier you start your campaign, the more effective it will be. You need to consider what message you want to communicate to voters and how you can best deliver that message.
Previous Election No. enrolled 2012 turnout 35,832 80% 72.28% 70.88% 70.64% 70% 60% 50% 37,366 40% 30% 20% 38,939 10% 0% North Central South
Key Election dates MAV Candidate Information Session 11 August 2016 Entitlement Date 26 August 2016 Publication of election notice 29 August – 03 September 2016 Election office opens 14 September 2916 Nominations open 9am, 15 September 2016 Nominations close 12 noon, 20 September 2016 Candidate statement and photo submission 12 noon, 26 September 2016 Lodge indication of preferences 12 noon, 23 September 2016 Mail out of ballot papers 4-6 October 2016 Voting closes 6pm, 21 October 2016 Election will be declared by this date Subject to proposed legislative change
How to nominate to be a Candidate 1. Fill out nomination form by hand or online 2. Submit nomination form to the Returning Officer in person 3. Pay the nomination fee ($250) to the Returning Officer
Returning Officer Details Returning Officer Peter Snow Location of Office Unit 7 18-20 Bond St Mordialloc Office open to the public from 14 September 2016
Once elected – induction program Within the first week: • Declaration of poll • Welcome meeting • Statutory meeting Within 2 weeks: • Governance workshop • Organisation context induction (3 sessions) Other planned sessions: • Ordinary Council Meeting Workshop • Tour of Municipality • Council Plan workshop (February 2017)
Council Support • Executive Services – includes the Chief Executive Officer, General Managers and Executive Assistants. • Governance - incorporates the key principles of accountability, culture, information support, organisational performance, stakeholder relationships and risk management. • Media & Communications – Promote Council services, programs and initiatives and enhance the image and public perception of Kingston City Council.
Useful Links http://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/About-Us/Council-Elections/2016-Council-Elections www.standforcouncil.com.au Victorian Electoral Commission Local Government Act 1989 Australian Local Government Women's Association For further information contact: Governance Team: Phil DeLosa 9581 4710
kingston.vic.gov.au
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