Ratepayers’ Strategy Plan 14 November 2015 Launch Ratepayers Victoria Incorporated A M

Accountable To No One Accountable To No One Ratepayers’ Social Action SWAT Teams C.A.T. Issues C.A.T. Issues Capacity Building Capacity Building Digital Platform Digital Platform SWAT Projects SWAT Projects Same Game to New Game The Local Government Playing Field What & How to Change? Why Change? Get Involved Ratepayers’ Strategies

The Australian Constitution: 2 levels of government in the country Federal Government State & Territory Governments Each State Constitution delegates councils to look after the peace, order and good government of their municipal districts The Playing Field: Legal Standing of Local Government (LG)

The Victorian Constitution Vic Local Government Act that provides the rules for the CREATION & OPERATION of 79 Councils The Playing Field: Legal Standing of the Victorian Local Government Elected Councillors Council Administration Service Management Service Management Oversee Councils are accountable to: 1.Their local communities 2.The Minister of Local Govt NOT to themselves as is NOW

The Playing Field: State Government’s Responsibilities

The Playing Field: Local Government’s Responsibilities State Services Schools Hospitals Roads & Railways Public Transport Utilities Mining & Agriculture Forests Community Services Consumer Affairs Police Prisons Ambulance services Council Services Increasing Scope creep New Services & Service Mgt Gaps

79 Councils The Playing Field: Where Councils Get their Money? Australian (Federal) Government Victorian Grants Commission Ratepayers (Property Owners) Service Users Financial Assistance Federal Grants State Grants Rates Fees Fines

The Playing Field: Timely & Most Needed Reforms Coming Reform #1 LG Performance Reporting Framework Last State Government KPIs Councillor conduct reforms Reform #2 Reform #3 This State Government 1.Rates Capping Policy 2.Stronger Councillor Conduct Standards 3.Review of LG Act and other Associated Laws

Why Change: Why the Reforms? Last State Government Reform #1 LG Performance Reporting Framework KPIs Councillor conduct reforms Reform #2 Reform #3 Lacking Accountability Measures Many Poor Leadership Behaviour Problems Poor compliance to Taxation Principles in differentiating Rates Systematic Problems

Why Change: More on Why the Reforms? 1.Rates Capping Policy 2.Stronger Councillor Conduct Standards 3.Review of LG Act and other Associated Laws This State Government Reforms Plan Rates Increasing too HIGH Operating Inefficiencies Too many poor leadership behaviour Problems Unclear interpretations Too many ad hoc changes, Lacking strong compliance Systematic Problems

in Why Change: Ratepayers ‘s Problems with Councils Collaboration issues Accountability issues Transparency issues Collaboration issues Accountability issues Transparency issues

Why Change: More Ratepayers ‘s Problems with Councils CEO over Councillors Councillors over CEO Councillors over Councillors Councillors over staff Councillors over ratepayers Councillors over State Gov Lacking org skills, Groupthink leaders Election Rigging / Vote Fraud Personal & Party Politics Priorities over Community’s Needs & Interests Conduct (Behavioural Issues)

Why Change: Time for Ratepayers’ Action Checking on their Councils’ Conduct, Decision- making & Actions are compliant to Good Governance principles Ratepayers Social Action

What & How to Change "Every council is responsive to, and reflective of, their local community"

What & How to Change Ratepayers Advocacy Capacity Building Strategy Ratepayers groups & individuals coming together to: 1.Share common processes & tools 2.Monitor via capturing evidence of councils’ performance 3.Report misconduct, poor decision C.A.T. from evidence Ratepayers groups & individuals coming together to: 1.Share common processes & tools 2.Monitor via capturing evidence of councils’ performance 3.Report misconduct, poor decision C.A.T. from evidence Increase self c ollaboration Increase system A ccountability Increase system T ransparency

What & How to Change? Stronger Strategic Ratepayers’ Roles Ratepayers’ Digital Platform Councils’ Good Governance & Performance Common Processes Common Tools Connected & Empowered Ratepayers Monitoring Reporting

Get Involved: Ratepayers Actioning Now Alert: 1.New & growing issues 2.Policy non compliances Measure : 1.Good Governance dimensions 2.Policy compliance 3.Key Performance Areas Governance Oversight Capacity Building Governance Oversight Capacity Building Strategic partners Annual Good Governance Survey Survey Achievements to Date

Get Involved Seminar Breakout to SWAT Teams During Seminar: Identify 1.Service issues 2.Good governance gaps 3.Solution strategies, including using LG Act Review Post Seminar 5.Respond to LG Act Review 6.Form SWAT Teams 7.Plan & Develop SWAT projects