COMMITTED TO EFFECTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Since retiring from Launceston City Council in 1992 I have maintained an active interest in Tasmania's Local Govt. and in particular Launceston Council's activities. Over the years I've supported and mentored many Councillors and Aldermen and consequently I've maintained a working knowledge of council operations in the Tasmania.
I'm a long time advocate for Local Govt. reform and especially so after travelling to New Zealand 1990 to investigate council amalgamations and the consequent reforms implemented there. There are however eight basic principle of Local Government that have held true for a rather long time. Sadly, at election time candidates espouse them and once elected many put them to one side.
It is worth repeating those again here to reinforce their current relevance.
- SENSE OF PLACE - Councils facilitate and work with their communities to develop a sense of place through branding, promoting and enhancing local identity, and promoting social cohesion and health and wellbeing.
- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - Councils engage with their communities, sharing information about community, council and government business, and where appropriate, provide opportunities for constituents to influence and/or participate in council decision making.
- STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP - Councils provide strategic leadership through understanding current and future operating environments, identifying opportunities and risks and making decisions which align with long-term strategic plans and corporate plans.
- LAND-USE PLANNING - Councils are strategic land-use planners who work with communities to create an environment that guides the use of land to balance economic, environmental and community/social values, and to support the health and wellbeing of their communities.
- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Councils facilitate the economic development of communities by working with the business community to attract and retain investment and support sustainable economic growth.
- SERVICES AND ASSETS - Councils are responsible financial managers who deliver cost effective, equitable and efficient services and assets which reflect local needs and expectations and are guided by council’s long-term corporate planning objectives.
- LEGISLATION AND BY-LAWS - Councils enforce relevant state and national legislation and create by-laws and policies as required to support the efficient and effective functioning of council to support the community.
- REPRESENTATION AND COOPERATION - Councils engage with each other and other spheres of government to represent and advocate the needs of their communities, and where appropriate, cooperate and work in partnership to generate the greatest benefit for communities.
Councillors and Aldermen forget these things at their peril.
