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City of West Torrens Council Policy - Elected Members Training and Development Council Policy

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Council Policy:Elected Members Training and Development

Classification: Council Policy

First Issued: 20/06/2006

Dates of Review: May 2007, May 2008, October 2008, June 2011, 17 March 2015

Version Number: 5

DW Doc set ID: 430225

Next Review Due: 17 March 2020

Applicable Legislation: Local Government Act 1999 Local Government (General) Regulations 2013 Local Government Association Training Standards

Related Policies or Corporate Documents:

Elected Members Allowances, Facilities, Support and Benefits Policy

Elected Members Attendance at Conferences PolicyAssociated Forms: N/A

Note:

Responsible Manager: General Manager Organisational Support

Confirmed by General Manager: Date 24 February 2015

Approved by Executive: Date 24 February 2015

Approved by Council Date 17 March 2015

City of West Torrens Policy - Elected Members Training and Development Council Policy



Table of Contents

1. Preamble......................................................................................................................32. Purpose........................................................................................................................33. Scope ...........................................................................................................................34. Definitions ...................................................................................................................35. Policy Statement .........................................................................................................4




COUNCIL POLICY - Elected Members Training and Development

1. Preamble

1.1 Council recognises the contribution and value that knowledgeable and skilled Elected Members bring to the achievement of Council's strategic, policy and governance objectives.

1.2 Council is committed to ensuring that Elected Members are provided with training and professional development opportunities, including those mandatory training requirements detailed in the Local Government Association Training Standards for Council Members (Training Standards), to enable them to contribute to achieving Council's objectives in accordance with their legislated roles and responsibilities.

2. Purpose

2.1 The purpose of this policy is to:

2.1.1 provide a framework for the training and development of Elected Members in order for them to undertake their legislated roles and responsibilities effectively and efficiently.

2.1.2 ensure compliance with the provisions of s80A of the Local Government Act 1999 (Act) which requires the preparation and adoption of a training and development policy for Elected Members

2.1.3 ensure compliance with the provisions of s8AA of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2013 (Regulations) which require Elected Members to undertake regular training in accordance with the Policy and the Training Standards.

3. Scope

3.1 This policy applies to all Elected Members.

4. Definitions

4.1 CEO refers to the Chief Executive Officer.

4.2 Mandatory Training refers to training contained in the Training Standards

4.3 Training refers to a process by which knowledge and/or skills are imparted to attendees through a variety of means including workshops, seminars, webinars, on-line, workbooks and conferences.




5. Policy Statement

5.1 Elected Members Training and Development

5.1.1 Council will ensure its Elected Members are provided with the required resources and support to undertake the training required to enable them to effectively fulfil their duties and decision making responsibilities.

5.1.2 Council recognises that some of the training needs of Elected Members will be specific to their legislated and governance roles and functions.

5.1.3 Council requires its Elected Members to undertake regular training in accordance with this policy and that this policy complies with the Training Standards (Attachment 1).

5.2 Mandatory Training for Elected Members

5.2.1 At a minimum, Elected Members are required to undertake and complete the mandatory training contained in the Training Standards within the first twelve months of their four year term.

5.2.2 In accordance with the Training Standards, the CEO will ensure that training providers have the appropriate expertise to deliver the mandatory training.

5.2.3 In accordance with the Training Standards, the CEO will keep a register that identifies those Elected Members who have completed the required mandatory training modules.

5.2.4 Council will ensure that it makes resources available to enable its Elected Members to undertake the minimum mandatory training requirements as detailed in the Training Standards:

Module 1 - Introduction to Local Government (minimum requirement 1.5 hours)

The Australian System of Government The three spheres of government and their functions Relationships between the three spheres of government

Roles and Functions of Local Government Role, functions and objectives of Local Government Composition and structure of Councils Community engagement and consultation Strategic Planning

Elected/Staff Structures Role of Council Members Role of staff

Services Provided by Council Mandatory Discretionary




Module 2 - Legal Responsibilities(minimum requirement - 2 hours)

Role of a Council MemberDelegationsGeneral DutiesCode of Conduct for Council MembersConflict of InterestRegister of InterestsResponsibilities Concerning the Provision of Support and ResourcesLegal Protections for Council MembersExternal Oversight Ombudsman SA Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Minister for Local Government District Court

Module 3 - Council & Committee Meeting Procedures(minimum requirement - 1.5 hours)

OverviewCouncil MeetingsCommittee MeetingsPublic Access to Council and Committee MeetingsInformal GatheringsAgendasMotions and VotingMinutesPublic Access to DocumentsChairing Meetings

Module 4 - Financial Management and Reporting(minimum requirement - 2.5 hours)

Long Term Financial PlanningLong Term Asset Management PlanningAudit CommitteesRatingBudgets and Annual Business Plans

5.2.3 Failure to complete the mandatory training requirements within the identified time frame amounts to a breach of the Code of Conduct for Council Members.

5.3 Training Delivery

5.3.1 A range of delivery methods will be made available to support the mandatory and other training needs of Elected Members.

5.3.2 Council will aim to:

5.3.2.1 Support training methodology that are most appropriate for Elected Members within the adopted budget.




5.3.2.2 Identify and respond to specific training needs that may arise from time to time.

5.4 Attendance at Training Programs

5.4.1 In addition to the mandatory training required to be undertaken within twelve (12) months of the periodic elections. Elected Members are required to attend at least one other professional development activity (training course, seminar, conference) each year to enhance their key competencies.

5.4.2 The Administration will advise Elected Members of relevant training and development programs via Council meeting agendas, emails, memos etc.

5.4.3 Elected Members are encouraged to identify their own training needs and to provide that information by way of an email to the CEO's Office.

5.4.3.1 When an Elected Member advises the CEO of training that meets their needs and is requesting that Council funds the training, the CEO will present a report to the next meeting of Council advising of the request and seeking approval for the attendance of that Elected Member and/or other Elected Members.

5.4.4 Relevant and comparable training and development opportunities within metropolitan Adelaide should be explored prior to considering interstate.

5.4.5 Council approval is required prior to any Elected Member's attendance at any training program, conference, seminar workshop etc. that is to be funded by Council.

5.4.6 Council approval is not required for attendance at a training and development opportunity by an Elected Member for which a fee is not charged or Council funding is not required..

5.4.7 In accordance with the Elected Members’ Attendance at Conferences Policy, Council approval is required prior to an Elected Member's partner accompanying them to a conference, seminar workshop etc. at Council's expense.

5.4.8 Training and development opportunities will be made available on an equitable basis. In making a decision on a training program application, consideration should be given to the number of attendances an individual member has had in one year.

5.4.9 If Elected Members undertake any training relevant their role and required key competencies, whether fee or non-fee based, the Governance department must be advised to enable recording of the training in the Elected Members Training Register, i.e. provision of copies of completion statements or other certificates.

5.4.10 The CEO is authorised to approve the attendance by Elected Members at a training program to be held within the State when a training opportunity arises outside the normal Council meeting cycle.

5.4.11 Following attendance at a conference (funded by Council), individual Elected Members are to prepare a report outlining the nature of the conference the benefits to Council and the learnings gained by the individual member through such attendance. This report must be tabled at a meeting of full Council.

5.5 Training Budget and Reimbursement of Expenses




5.5.1 A budget allocation will be provided to support the training and development activities undertaken by Elected Members and progress against expenditure of the budget allocation will be reviewed regularly.

5.5.1.1 At a minimum, Council will ensure sufficient budget allocation is made to enable each Elected Member to undertake the mandatory training.

5.5.2 If Council has approved attendance at a training program/activity an Elected Member may seek reimbursement of expenses in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Local Government Act 1999 and Regulations and Council’s 'Elected Members Attendance at Conferences Policy'.

5.5.3 Costs for attendance by a partner accompanying an Elected Member at any conference, seminar or training will be met by Council if so resolved by Council in accordance with the 'Elected Members’ Attendance at Conferences Policy'.

5.6 Accountability

5.6.1 Costs associated with training undertaken by Elected Members will be recorded in the Council's 'Allowances and Benefits Register' which will be updated as required to reflect attendances and reported to Council each quarter; and

5.6.2 All training and development activities undertaken will be recorded in the 'Elected Member Training Register'; and

5.6.3 All training, including mandatory training, undertaken by Elected Members and associated costs will be included in Council’s Annual Report in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1999.

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City of West Torrens Council Policy - Elected Members Training and Development Council Policy

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