Councillor professional development

Legislative requirements

Councillor professional development

(Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, cl 186)

Amendments made to the Local Government Act in 2016 saw the inclusion in the prescribed role of councillors under section 232 of the Act of a responsibility “to make all reasonable efforts to acquire and maintain the skills necessary to perform the role of Councillor”. To support that inclusion, the Local Government (General) Regulation was subsequently amended to include a requirement for councils to provide induction training and ongoing professional development for mayors and councillors; and the Office of Local Government (OLG) issued guidelines under section 23A of the Act to assist councils develop and deliver induction training and ongoing professional development activities for their mayor and councillors in compliance with the Regulation. The guidelines issued by the Office of Local Government indicate that a council’s induction and professional development program should consist of the following three elements: „ Pre-election Candidate Sessions - (non-mandatory but encouraged) – to ensure prospective candidates are aware of what will be expected of them if elected „ Induction Program – to equip mayors and councillors with the information they need to perform their role effectively over the first few months of the term and to build a positive, collaborative relationship among councillors and with staff „ Professional Development Program – to allow development, in consultation with individual councillors and the mayor, of programs which can be delivered over the council term to build the skills, knowledge and personal attributes necessary to be an effective mayor or councillor. Hornsby Council’s response to these three elements during 2021/22 is below.

Pre-election candidate sessions

Online session for prospective candidates held 30 June 2021 (Local Government election 4 December 2021) (COVID-19 restrictions in place) Facilitator Maire Sheehan (LGNSW)

A three-stage program of induction, grouped around three themes, was designed and undertaken by the General Manager and staff with the newly-elected Council. All Councillors attended.

Induction Program

When

Stage 1 Getting to know you, us and each other

3 sessions – January 2022 Stage 2 Your role, rights and responsibilities 6 sessions – January/February 2022 Stage 3 Transitioning to the business of Council and ongoing development 5 sessions – March 2022

Professional Development

The external service provider involved with the Councillor induction program has also been engaged to facilitate the Councillors Professional development program. The program will involve a briefing to all Councillors to provide an update on the process that will be implemented followed by individual interviews with Councillors and a personalised development plan to meet the requirements for each Councillor be developed. This process is due to commence in September 2022. Other training / skill development opportunities were undertaken as follows:

Conference

LGNSW Annual Conference Attendees Clrs Ruddock, Tilbury, Waddell, Salitra, McClelland, McIntosh, Greenwood, Pillamarri, Ball

Training / skill development

Attendee Domestic and Family Violence Online Course Clr Marr NSW Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) Conference Clr McClelland Developing your Councillor Professional Development Plan Clr McClelland