ratepayers’ strategy plan 14 november 2015 launch ratepayers victoria incorporated a0040924m
TRANSCRIPT
Ratepayers’ Strategy Plan
14 November 2015 Launch
Ratepayers VictoriaIncorporated A0040924Mwww.ratepayersvictoria.com.au
Accountable To No One
Ratepayers’ Social Action
SWATTeams
C.A.T.Issues
CapacityBuilding
DigitalPlatform SWAT
Projects
Same Game to New Game
The Local GovernmentPlaying Field
What & How to Change?
Why Change?
Get Involved
Ratepayers’ Strategies
The Australian Constitution:
2 levels of government in the country
Federal Government
State & Territory Governments
Each State Constitution
delegates
councils to look after the peace, order and good government of
their municipal districts
The Playing Field:
Legal Standing of Local Government (LG)
The Victorian Constitution
Vic Local Government Actthat provides the rules for the
CREATION & OPERATIONof 79 Councils
The Playing Field:
Legal Standing of the Victorian Local Government
Elected Councillors
Council Administration
ServiceManagement
Oversee
Councils are accountable to:
1. Their local communities
2. The Minister of Local Govt
NOT to themselves as is NOW
The Playing Field:
State Government’s Responsibilities
The Playing Field:
Local Government’s ResponsibilitiesState ServicesSchoolsHospitalsRoads & RailwaysPublic TransportUtilitiesMining & AgricultureForestsCommunity ServicesConsumer AffairsPolicePrisonsAmbulance services
Council Services
IncreasingScope creep
New Services& Service MgtGaps
79 Councils
The Playing Field:
Where Councils Get their Money?
Australian (Federal)Government Victorian Grants
Commission
Ratepayers(Property Owners)
Service Users
Financial Assistance
Federal Grants
StateGrants
Rates
FeesFines
The Playing Field:
Timely & Most Needed Reforms Coming
Reform #1LG Performance
Reporting Framework
Last State Government
KPIs
Councillor conduct reforms
Reform #2
Differential RatesReform #3
This State Government
1. Rates Capping Policy
2. Stronger Councillor Conduct Standards
3. Review of LG Act and other Associated Laws
Why Change:
Why the Reforms?Last State Government
Reform #1LG Performance
Reporting Framework
KPIs
Councillor conduct reforms
Reform #2
Differential RatesReform #3
Lacking Accountability Measures
Many Poor Leadership Behaviour Problems
Poor compliance to Taxation Principles in differentiating Rates
Systematic Problems
Why Change:
More on Why the Reforms?
1. Rates Capping Policy
2. Stronger Councillor Conduct Standards
3. Review of LG Act and other Associated Laws
This State GovernmentReforms Plan
Rates Increasing too HIGHOperating Inefficiencies
Too many poor leadership behaviour Problems
• Unclear interpretations• Too many ad hoc changes,• Lacking strong compliance
Systematic Problems
in
Why Change: Ratepayers ‘s Problems with Councils
Collaboration issues
Accountability issues
Transparency issues
& Implementation
Why Change:
More Ratepayers ‘s Problems with CouncilsCEO over CouncillorsCouncillors over CEOCouncillors over CouncillorsCouncillors over staffCouncillors over ratepayersCouncillors over State Gov
Lacking org skills, Groupthink leaders
Election Rigging / Vote Fraud
Personal & Party Politics Priorities over Community’s Needs & Interests
Conduct(Behavioural Issues)
Why Change:
Time for Ratepayers’ Action
Checking on their Councils’ Conduct, Decision-making & Actions are compliant to Good
Governance principles
Ratepayers Social Action
What & How to Change
"Every council is responsive to, and reflective of, their local community"
What & How to Change
Ratepayers Advocacy Capacity Building Strategy
Ratepayers groups & individuals coming together to:
1. Share common processes & tools
2. Monitor via capturing evidence of councils’ performance
3. Report misconduct, poor decision C.A.T. from evidence
Increase self collaboration
Increase system AccountabilityIncrease system Transparency
What & How to Change?
Stronger Strategic Ratepayers’ Roles
Ratepayers’ Digital Platform
Councils’ Good Governance & Performance
Common Processes Common Tools
Connected & Empowered Ratepayers
Monitoring
Reporting
Get Involved:
Ratepayers Actioning Now
Alert:1. New & growing issues2. Policy non compliances
Measure :1. Good Governance dimensions2. Policy compliance3. Key Performance Areas
Governance Oversight Capacity Building
Strategic partners
Annual Good Governance
Survey
Achievements to Date
Get Involved
Seminar Breakout to SWAT TeamsDuring Seminar: Identify
1. Service issues
2. Good governance gaps
3. Solution strategies, including using LG Act Review
Post Seminar
5. Respond to LG Act Review
6. Form SWAT Teams
7. Plan & Develop SWAT projects