Understanding Local Government provides council members with the relevant information they require to serve as a council member. This course provides participants with an understanding of the composition, structure and operational functions of government, and in particular Western Australian Local Governments.
As a result of completing this program, participants should be able to:
- understand how Local Government fits into the structure of government in Australia
- understand the roles, functions and objectives of Western Australian Local Governments
- distinguish between the strategic role of the council and the day to day role of the Local Government administration; and
- understand the democratic process of how councils are established.
Conflicts of Interest is an online course designed to provide Elected Members with an understanding of financial, indirect-financial, proximity and impartiality interest; disclosure of interests at meetings; and the association between gifts and conflicts of interests.
This course provides an overview of the statutory environment relating to declarations of interest and clarifies, through case studies, the personal responsibilities of Elected Members to comply with their obligations.
Elected members encounter ongoing pressure to be fully across their Council’s financial decisions and responsibilities. More often than not Elected Members will be urged to reduce rates, while keeping services to a high level services and at the same time keep the spending down!
This course aims to provide practical understanding on how to review and interpret financial reports and budgets, as well as monitor revenue and expenditure. Course material will outline the linkage between Strategic Planning, Asset Planning, Asset Management Planning and Long Term Financial Planning.
You will be able to understand and discuss the benefits of undertaking financial forecasting and see how the impacts of key decision making may have on the organisation’s financial health.
Serving on Council is designed to give council members the confidence to perform their role. This course will provide council members with an understanding of their role and responsibilities in leading and supporting their communities while following the processes and procedures of their Local Government.
On completion of this program, participants should be able to understand the:
- legislative environment of local governments and the legislation and regulations within which councils must operate
- principles of governance
- balance of governing the local government as a councillor and acting as an elected representative
- role of council members and senior management in leading and supporting their communities
- relationship between council and the local government administration and the importance of the separation of powers
- requirements for strategic community leadership
- requirements for ethical decision making
- Council’s role as the employer of the Chief Executive Officer, and
- use of social media in communicating with the community.
- Council’s role as the employer of the Chief Executive Officer, and
- use of social media in communicating with the community.
Recordkeeping in Local Government is not just a legislative requirement. It is necessary for efficient operations, informed decision-making, accountability and transparency, and preservation of local history. Elected Members have an important responsibility to create and capture records, related to the performance of their functions. This course introduces Elected Members to Local Government recordkeeping requirements, how they relate to Elected Members and how to fulfil their recordkeeping responsibilities.