Council rates and costs growth

A recent story in the Herald Sun suggests a push to put rate capping back on the agenda. An unpublished submission by Ratepayers Victoria has requested that the Victorian Government consider capping of council rates at CPI for the coming year. This request, of course, entirely misunderstands the cost drivers that affect councils’ ability to deliver the breadth and mix of services to our communities each year, and would undermine the years of hard work to close our identified infrastructure renewal gaps.

As detailed in this Opinion Editorial I submitted to the Herald Sun, this is one past policy lesson that the Government should learn from, not repeat.

Rates affordability, however, remains a genuine issue facing some members of our community – particularly those on fixed incomes such as pensioners and single income retirees. The MAV will be looking more closely at this issue in the coming months.

The MAV Board has also approved further work to examine cost drivers and productivity in local government. The aim is to better understanding councils’ expenditure growth, including the extent of influences such as productivity, population growth, service expansion and quality improvements. With the Auditor General and Local Government Victoria examining the sector’s performance, our work will be important in responding to any government concerns about councils’ costs growth, as well as identifying potential areas for sector improvement.

2012 state budget submission

Our submission to the 2012-13 Victorian Budget has been sent to the State Government following member feedback and consideration by the MAV Board. Given the Government has already indicated this year’s budget will be especially tight due to falling income, reduced GST allocations and increases in the cost of several major inherited projects, the MAV submission focuses on key issues of high significance to local government.

Our submission calls for increased funding for the Maternal and Child Health program; the development of a long-term, funded Victoria Infrastructure Plan; increased investment to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning system; and funding for emergency management, kindergartens, school crossings, and home and community care.

Upcoming MAV strategic plan meetings

As part of the annual planning process, the MAV is conducting regional visits to obtain council input into the development of our work plan, as well as a review of our strategic direction for the coming year. The meetings allow discussion to occur on key priority areas for Victorian local government and also provide a forum for feedback on MAV performance.

An invitation has been sent to all councillors, and members will also receive a report ahead of the scheduled meetings to help guide discussion on how we build on last year’s strategic plan. I’ve listed all the details below and hope you will make the time to come along to one of the sessions. Please RSVP to Gavin Mahoney on 9667 5564 or gmahoney@mav.asn.au.

Following the meetings, a draft 2012-13 MAV Strategic Work Plan will be circulated to all councils in April and will go before State Council on 17 May for consideration and endorsement.

Moreland City Council’s cyber-bullying initiative

Last week I attended the launch of Moreland City Council’s innovative new Cyber-bullying storyboard to help raise awareness of the devastating impacts of cyber-bullying.

I encourage all councils to take the time to review this great initiative, as well as the Council’s broader CALDCOM Storyboards program, which received the Government Award at the 2010 National Multicultural Marketing Awards.

At the launch I also spoke with Cr Oscar Yildiz about a new foundation he’s establishing, which hopes to set up a 24 hour call line to report bullying, and a mentor program for victims. His initiative was also detailed in this story by the Herald Sun. We hope to hear more about this project over the coming months.

MAV 2012 Councillor Development Weekend

The theme for this year’s Councillor Development Weekend is Review, Reflect, Re Elect.

Due to the elections we’ve brought forward our annual professional development event from July, so please put April 27, 28 and 29 in your diaries for what’s expected to be a high standard, exciting, informative and thought-provoking program. We’ve also moved the location to the Sebel Heritage in the Yarra Valley and I look forward to catching up with many of you there.

Our team is putting the final touches on the program, but I can confirm that speakers will include Martina Jewell (former Australian Army Major); Robert Gottliebsen (co-founder Business Review Weekly); Tony Jones (ABC Q&A); Peter Williams (CEO Deloitte Digital); Elliott Goblett (comedian); and Stephen Moneghetti (former Olympian).

Also look out for the MAV’s Councillor Development Program brochure, which will be posted to all councillors in the coming weeks.

Constitutional recognition campaign update

Following the Expert Panel's qualified recommendation in its final report to support the financial recognition of local government in the Australian constitution, state associations and ALGA communications personnel are meeting in Brisbane this week to progress development of a campaign for a 'yes' vote should a referendum proceed.

The MAV Board has resolved to form a committee of communications professionals from Victorian councils to inform our input and feedback to the national campaign. The ALGA Board will also consider our position in further detail at a strategic planning meeting later this month.

Polling commissioned by the Expert Panel indicates that support for constitutional recognition is achievable, but there’s still a lot of work that would have to be done. To date 63 Victorian councils have passed a resolution in support of constitutional recognition and more councils made a submission to the expert panel supporting the cause. I will continue to keep you updated as this work progresses.

Best wishes
BILL