Candidate Information Session Thursday 26 May 2016

About Kingston

• Created in 1994 as a result of municipal restructure

• Significant residential areas in the west and south, major

industrial nodes around Moorabbin, Mordialloc-Braeside,

Moorabbin Airport and Clayton South

• Home to a large industrial area, an airport, world-class golf

courses and areas of high environmental value such as the

Ramsar wetlands in Edithvale/Seaford, the Green Wedge and

13 km of Port Phillip Bay coastline.

About Kingston

About the Council

Child care

M&CH and Immunisation

World class sporting facilities

Libraries and education

Community festivals

Youth Services

Foreshore maintenance

Aged & Disability Services

Arts

School aged care

Waste

Town planning

Organisational structure

Ward structure

North Ward

Central Ward

South Ward

• 9 Councillors

• 3 represent each ward

19,282

households

21,723 households

22,316 households

4,245 businesses

1,294 businesses

4,078 businesses

The role of a Councillor Local Government Act 1989 Section 65

1. The role of a Councillor

a) participate in the decision-making of the Council

b) represent the local community in that decision-making

c) contribute to the strategic direction of the Council through

the development and review of key strategic documents of

the Council, including the Council Plan.

The role of a Councillor Local Government Act 1989 Section 65

2. In performing the role of a Councillor, a Councillor must:

a) consider the diversity of interests and needs of the local community

b) observe principles of good governance and act with integrity

c) provide civic leadership in relation to the exercise of the various functions and responsibilities of the Council under this Act and other Acts

d) participate in the responsible allocation of the resources of Council through the annual budget

e) facilitate effective communication between the Council and the community.

3. The role of a Councillor does not include the performance of any functions that are specified as functions of the Chief Executive Officer under Section 94A.

Role of Chief Executive Officer

• The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has a number of responsibilities which are set out in Section 94 A of the Local Government Act 1989.

• These include :

– establishing and maintaining an appropriate organisational structure for the Council,

– ensuring that Council decisions are implemented promptly,

– overseeing the daily management of Council operations

– following the Council Plan,

– developing a code of conduct for Council staff

– providing timely advice to the Council.

• The CEO is also the main person to which Council delegates powers.

Meetings

• Ordinary Council Meetings are currently held at 7pm on the fourth Monday of each month at our Cheltenham office. These meetings are open to the public.

• Planning committee meetings are currently held at 7pm on the Wednesday prior to the ordinary council meeting at our Cheltenham office. These meetings are open to the public.

• Other:

– Preliminary conferences

– Special meetings

Kingston provides a live stream of Council Meetings on our website, where you’ll also find meeting agendas and minutes.

Decision Making Process

• Councillor Information Sessions (CIS) – used to prepare for

Ordinary Council or Planning Committee Meetings

• Council Meetings are formal decision making meetings

• An individual Councillor cannot make a decision that binds

Council by themselves

• Local Law: Meeting Procedures Commenced September 2015

Councillor obligations include:

• Ordinary Council Meetings

• Councillor Information Sessions:

– Planning (once a month)

– Strategic (twice a month)

• Special Meetings

• Preliminary conferences

Other commitments:

• Advisory committees (8)

• Civic duties (e.g. citizenship ceremonies, Australia Day, ANZAC

Day)

Example of meeting cycle

Ordinary Council Meetings

Planning Committee

Planning CIS

Strategic CIS

Citizenship Ceremonies

Civic Events & Festivals

Annual snapshot

Councillor allowances and support

Allowances (effective 1 December 2015)

• Councillors $28,892.66

• Mayor $86,677.99

Expenses

• Councillors are entitled to be reimbursed for any necessary out-of-pocket expenses they incur while performing their duties as a councillor.

• Councils are also required to adopt and maintain a policy in relation to the reimbursement of councillor expenses.

• It is a requirement of the Local Government Act (Section 73(A) that the allowance categories be reviewed annually and prior to the election period.

Eligibility

Australian Citizen

Enrolled in the municipality

• Need not be enrolled in the ward for which you nominate

Not disqualified by any other criteria (see Local Government Act 1989), or

Have an exemption from certain disqualifications granted by

VCAT

Elected by voters

Campaign

To campaign effectively you need to plan and be prepared. It is

important that you know:

• information about the area in which you are standing

• information about the procedure of the election and voting

processes.

The earlier you start your campaign, the more effective it will be.

You need to consider what message you want to communicate to

voters and how you can best deliver that message.

Previous Election

35,832

37,366

38,939

No. enrolled

72.28% 70.64% 70.88%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

North Central South

2012 turnout

Key Election dates

MAV Candidate Information Session 11 August 2016

Entitlement Date 26 August 2016

Publication of election notice 29 August – 03 September 2016

Election office opens 14 September 2916

Nominations open 9am, 15 September 2016

Nominations close 12 noon, 20 September 2016

Candidate statement and photo submission 12 noon, 26 September 2016

Lodge indication of preferences 12 noon, 23 September 2016

Mail out of ballot papers 4-6 October 2016

Voting closes 6pm, 21 October 2016

Election will be declared by this date Subject to proposed legislative change

How to nominate to be a Candidate

1. Fill out nomination form by hand or online

2. Submit nomination form to the Returning Officer in person

3. Pay the nomination fee ($250) to the Returning Officer

Returning Officer Details

Returning Officer

Peter Snow

Location of Office

Unit 7

18-20 Bond St Mordialloc

Office open to the public from

14 September 2016

Once elected – induction program

Within the first week:

• Declaration of poll

• Welcome meeting

• Statutory meeting

Within 2 weeks:

• Governance workshop

• Organisation context induction (3 sessions)

Other planned sessions:

• Ordinary Council Meeting Workshop

• Tour of Municipality

• Council Plan workshop (February 2017)

Council Support

• Executive Services – includes the Chief Executive Officer,

General Managers and Executive Assistants.

• Governance - incorporates the key principles of accountability,

culture, information support, organisational performance,

stakeholder relationships and risk management.

• Media & Communications – Promote Council services,

programs and initiatives and enhance the image and public

perception of Kingston City Council.

Useful Links

http://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/About-Us/Council-Elections/2016-Council-Elections

www.standforcouncil.com.au

Victorian Electoral Commission

Local Government Act 1989

Australian Local Government Women's Association

For further information contact:

Governance Team: Phil DeLosa 9581 4710

kingston.vic.gov.au