Local Government in your Community. Principal Member (Mayor or Chairperson) Councillors (from 6 –...
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Transcript of Local Government in your Community. Principal Member (Mayor or Chairperson) Councillors (from 6 –...
Local Government
in your
Community
• Principal Member (Mayor or Chairperson)• Councillors (from 6 – 21 depending on
size/population of Council)• Some Councils are divided into wards• Elections every 4 years• Elected Council only exercises power as
group• CEO responsible for staff
COUNCIL STRUCTURECOUNCIL STRUCTURE
MAYOR / MAYOR / CHAIRPERSONCHAIRPERSON
The Council’s “first citizen”
Councils have either a Mayor or Chairperson
Mayor - Elected by all voters
Chairperson – Elected by Councillors
Attends many functions on behalf of the Council
Services are voluntary - not paid
Takes control of Council meetings
COUNCILLORSCOUNCILLORS Councillors represent all people in the
Council (and those in their ward) Are elected either by all voters or those in
their ward Vote at Council Meetings on policy, rules
and big issues Provide leadership and reflect views of
the communities they serve Councillors are volunteers - not paid
COUNCIL MEETINGSCOUNCIL MEETINGS Held at least once every month Elected members are required to
attend The public can attend Council
meetings Council meetings are where issues
are discussed and decisions made
COUNCIL(elected members)
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Human Services Environmental Services
Corporate Services City Management
•Recreation•Community Services•Cultural Development
•Research
•Planning•Building/Health
•Operations•Property & Technical
Services
•Technology•Information Management
•Public Relations•Human Resources
•Project Management•Mayoral Functions
ROLE OF ADMINISTRATIONROLE OF ADMINISTRATION Serve the public Implement Council’s policies and act on
decisions Provide roads, footpaths, street cleaning
and lighting, rubbish & recycling collection, health and building control
SERVICES AND FACILITIESSERVICES AND FACILITIES Playgrounds Holiday programs Libraries Recreation centres,
sporting grounds and swimming pools
Roads & footpaths Immunisation
Recycling services Environmental
management Tourism information Youth programs Home assistance for
aged and disabled
“Such as your local library - Less books and magazines, computer and internet services?”
IF THERE WAS IF THERE WAS NONO LOCAL GOVERNMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT
...There would be less money for many
services
IF THERE WAS IF THERE WAS NONO LOCAL GOVERNMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT
...There would be no Parks FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY IN
“Cockroaches could be in your food”
...There would be NO FOOD STANDARD INSPECTIONS
IF THERE WAS IF THERE WAS NONO LOCAL GOVERNMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT
IF THERE WAS IF THERE WAS NONO LOCAL GOVERNMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT
...There would be NO DOG CONTROL
COMMUNITY ISSUESCOMMUNITY ISSUESCouncils are concerned with what is happening in their community. This means taking an interest in: public transport schools main roads hospitals
development environment safety and security Aboriginal affairs
Councils work closely with State and Federal Governments.
EVERY COUNCIL IS DIFFERENTEVERY COUNCIL IS DIFFERENT
Its community may be young or old The area may be new or well-established It may be an urban (city) or rural (country)
Council The population may be less than 1000 or
more than 100,000
DIFFERENCES MEAN DIFFERENCES MEAN ......A developing Council may need to spend
a large amount of their funds on new roads and services.
More established Councils may be able to provide more community-orientated services.
Councils are important in assisting the activities of community groups in the area
Councils sometimes help with: funding providing facilities training
HELPING THE COMMUNITYHELPING THE COMMUNITY
PLAYING YOUR PARTPLAYING YOUR PART Contact your Council to find out what’s happening in
your area If you would like to see different activities in your
area, let Council know Inform Council whether their programs suit your
needs Report any graffiti or vandalism to the police, this
costs your family and community thousands of dollars
Communities can work with their Council to influence what happens in their area
ELECTIONSELECTIONS Held by postal vote every four years in
November Voting is not compulsory (unlike State and
Federal government elections) A contest only occurs if there are more
nominations received than vacancies available
During their term elected members will make important decisions about your area
ELECTIONSELECTIONS
People over the age of 18 can vote Voting is important because elected
members decide the future of the area and the services that will be provided
Candidates will often have different views on what is best for the area