Briefing notes. The press comment by the Minister for Local Government, David Templeman,
that Local Government Councillors include many who are male, pale and stale
should not pass without a response. Minister Templeman should realize that this
in an apt description of numerous State and Federal politicians.
The following is fact- not comment, or fiction. Minister Templeman is not fool enough to disparage councillors without having a covert agenda!
For all of us who wish to become Councillors in a rural shire, the job will not be easy as there is a bigger picture involved. But it will still be worthwhile.
In 2013 the WA State Government wanted to reduce the number of Perth councils from 30 to 15. It was assumed that such amalgamation would lead to economies of scale including a reduction in the number of councillors, council staff and a scaling back in duplication of local government services.
Records show that at this time there were 138 Local Government Areas in WA, being 35% of all LGA’s in Australia, representing just 11% of the nation’s total population.
The reason for this large number of LGA’s, established during the 19th and 20th century, was to ensure local government area coverage and representation over an area, 1/3rd the size of the Australian continent.
However some felt that this was too costly, on a per capita basis, with small shire councils’ competing to retain medical services and other infrastructure required for their towns to survive.
In 2014 there were 34 rural, regional and remote Shire Council electorates in WA with a total population of 19,682 at an average of 576 per-shire.
This was an argument used by those who wished to reduce the number of rural and remote shire councils.
The oldest of these particular shire electorates’ was founded in 1871, the youngest 1948, with the average being 1900 AD. At that time the average was 114 years old, going back 5 generations with an emotive, historical timeline of strong, filial relationships in each electorate.
This was one argument why they should all be retained.
Previous socio-economic analyses suggested that Shire Council’s with this population demographic may not be economically sustainable and should be formed into Regions of Councils (ROC’s) when there was a common socio-economic link.
It was suggested that a number of the other 74 councils outside Perth, with populations above 1,000, but not much more, may also face certain problems of financing and community services delivery.
It is believed that former National Party Leader, Brendon Grylls, refused to countenance forced amalgamation of rural, regional and remote shires. His intention may well have been to use Royalties for Regions funding, where necessary, to prevent this.
Prior to the 2013 State Election the Nationals held the balance-of-power in the Legislative Assembly and the State had a AAA Credit Rating. Now neither exists,
The two major political parties, Labor and Liberal, are both city-centric in political
persuasion as they know where most voters live.
Both usually make their most unpopular decisions in the first 18 months of their incumbency.
The Labor Government is now over 6 months into its term in office, has a projected State Debt of $43.6 billion by 2020-21 and will not be financially propping-up Shire councils with any Royalties for Regions funding.
Shire Councillors were, and are the Boards of Management of a town and its surrounds (a manifold style of business), with the community being the shareholders of this business. It is a long time since shires were only mandated to fill in pot-holes and collect rubbish.
The role now extends through socio-economic development including health care, supporting tourism marketing, promotion and servicing, domestic and commercial land release, negotiating the provision of Headwork for water electricity, and gas, liquor supply management, creating and enforcing building codes, the provision of other expensive community facilities and protecting the local environment.
It is on public record that, in certain cases, the business acumen of some Shire Council elected members and their administrative staff can fall short of the skills required to cover such a diverse management profile- and some council’s trade close to insolvency.
The state’s serious economic situation may result in creating a financial vacuum for LGA’s with WA Local Government Grants Commission funding static and falling (in real terms) for some years to come.
The promised 2018 Review of the Local Government Act, 1995 will be cathartic.
A peripheral result could be a fresh call for a reduction in the state’s massive number of LGA’s when compared to the rest of the country, with the small rural and remote shires potentially a prime target.
Other investigations will include gaining the ability to sack (or heavily fine) individual councillors, tighter strictures on the acceptance of gifts and an increase in the performance criteria for a raft of administrative responsibilities including probity and fiscal accountability.
As stated, Local government Councillors have been accused by the State Government of being intrinsically male, pale and stale with a threat of salaries and allowances being slashed if their training and qualifications do not meet required standards.
The Shire of York ratepayers have to choose three Councillors to represent them through a dramatic 4-year period where there will be a ballooning state deficit of up to $43 billion.
Ratepayers will have to assess whether the three incumbent members, up for re-election, have met their obligations as councillors and have performed up to community expectations.
Otherwise the choice is three of four new candidates with their various credentials who may be more suitable in ensuring the Shire of York moves forward positively.
Whatever the choice it must be to ensure that the York community is the beneficiary of a council membership it trusts and can be relied upon to ensure the integrity and competence of its administration.
Also, as both individuals and as a team, all are fully aware of the potential for turbulent external influences that could make being a councillor a tougher assignment than it was in the past.
David Taylor/ Candidate for Shire of York Council.
The following is fact- not comment, or fiction. Minister Templeman is not fool enough to disparage councillors without having a covert agenda!
For all of us who wish to become Councillors in a rural shire, the job will not be easy as there is a bigger picture involved. But it will still be worthwhile.
In 2013 the WA State Government wanted to reduce the number of Perth councils from 30 to 15. It was assumed that such amalgamation would lead to economies of scale including a reduction in the number of councillors, council staff and a scaling back in duplication of local government services.
Records show that at this time there were 138 Local Government Areas in WA, being 35% of all LGA’s in Australia, representing just 11% of the nation’s total population.
The reason for this large number of LGA’s, established during the 19th and 20th century, was to ensure local government area coverage and representation over an area, 1/3rd the size of the Australian continent.
However some felt that this was too costly, on a per capita basis, with small shire councils’ competing to retain medical services and other infrastructure required for their towns to survive.
In 2014 there were 34 rural, regional and remote Shire Council electorates in WA with a total population of 19,682 at an average of 576 per-shire.
This was an argument used by those who wished to reduce the number of rural and remote shire councils.
The oldest of these particular shire electorates’ was founded in 1871, the youngest 1948, with the average being 1900 AD. At that time the average was 114 years old, going back 5 generations with an emotive, historical timeline of strong, filial relationships in each electorate.
This was one argument why they should all be retained.
Previous socio-economic analyses suggested that Shire Council’s with this population demographic may not be economically sustainable and should be formed into Regions of Councils (ROC’s) when there was a common socio-economic link.
It was suggested that a number of the other 74 councils outside Perth, with populations above 1,000, but not much more, may also face certain problems of financing and community services delivery.
It is believed that former National Party Leader, Brendon Grylls, refused to countenance forced amalgamation of rural, regional and remote shires. His intention may well have been to use Royalties for Regions funding, where necessary, to prevent this.
Prior to the 2013 State Election the Nationals held the balance-of-power in the Legislative Assembly and the State had a AAA Credit Rating. Now neither exists,
The two major political parties, Labor and Liberal, are both city-centric in political
persuasion as they know where most voters live.
Both usually make their most unpopular decisions in the first 18 months of their incumbency.
The Labor Government is now over 6 months into its term in office, has a projected State Debt of $43.6 billion by 2020-21 and will not be financially propping-up Shire councils with any Royalties for Regions funding.
Shire Councillors were, and are the Boards of Management of a town and its surrounds (a manifold style of business), with the community being the shareholders of this business. It is a long time since shires were only mandated to fill in pot-holes and collect rubbish.
The role now extends through socio-economic development including health care, supporting tourism marketing, promotion and servicing, domestic and commercial land release, negotiating the provision of Headwork for water electricity, and gas, liquor supply management, creating and enforcing building codes, the provision of other expensive community facilities and protecting the local environment.
It is on public record that, in certain cases, the business acumen of some Shire Council elected members and their administrative staff can fall short of the skills required to cover such a diverse management profile- and some council’s trade close to insolvency.
The state’s serious economic situation may result in creating a financial vacuum for LGA’s with WA Local Government Grants Commission funding static and falling (in real terms) for some years to come.
The promised 2018 Review of the Local Government Act, 1995 will be cathartic.
A peripheral result could be a fresh call for a reduction in the state’s massive number of LGA’s when compared to the rest of the country, with the small rural and remote shires potentially a prime target.
Other investigations will include gaining the ability to sack (or heavily fine) individual councillors, tighter strictures on the acceptance of gifts and an increase in the performance criteria for a raft of administrative responsibilities including probity and fiscal accountability.
As stated, Local government Councillors have been accused by the State Government of being intrinsically male, pale and stale with a threat of salaries and allowances being slashed if their training and qualifications do not meet required standards.
The Shire of York ratepayers have to choose three Councillors to represent them through a dramatic 4-year period where there will be a ballooning state deficit of up to $43 billion.
Ratepayers will have to assess whether the three incumbent members, up for re-election, have met their obligations as councillors and have performed up to community expectations.
Otherwise the choice is three of four new candidates with their various credentials who may be more suitable in ensuring the Shire of York moves forward positively.
Whatever the choice it must be to ensure that the York community is the beneficiary of a council membership it trusts and can be relied upon to ensure the integrity and competence of its administration.
Also, as both individuals and as a team, all are fully aware of the potential for turbulent external influences that could make being a councillor a tougher assignment than it was in the past.
David Taylor/ Candidate for Shire of York Council.
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