The annual National Federation Awards celebrate the achievements of both individuals and councils advancing their communities. The individuals and councils who have been recognised by their regional awards programs are eligible for nomination in five unique categories.
The 2020 LG Professionals Tas Award program has been designed to support these national awards, with the state winners being entered into the national competition.
The 2020 Award categories are:
- Emerging Leader of the Year - Sponsored by Tasplan Super
- Environmental Leadership and Sustainability
- Innovative Management Initiative - Sponsored by JLT Public Sector
- Excellence in Community and Service
- Partnerships and Collaboration
Nominations close on Friday 10 July. No late applications will be accepted.
Further information and download the submission guidelines here.
Please reach out by email if you have any queries.
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EXCLUSIVE FREE MASTERCLASS FOR MEMBERS |
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The most important leadership decision each day is choosing how
you show up.
It’s about taking a genuine interest in your people. It all starts by
showing up and as Dr Brene Brown, acclaimed author and researcher says, “it’s
not about choosing what’s fun, fast or easy, it’s about choosing courage over
comfort” in those micro-moments that cause tidal wave-sized ripple effects.
Showing up as a leader is equally powerful as it is vulnerable. It isn’t
about sky diving or eating live scorpions, it’s about role modelling what good
looks like in healthy relationships. Getting good at this involves two parts:
how I show up for myself and how I show up for others.
In this masterclass you will explore: - An evidence-based
model on the 4 stages of maturity to help you appreciate where your people are
at, and what they each need to reach their full potential
- How to use the day
to day micro-moments to respond to people with the right intention
- How to step back so
that others can step forward.
Join our wonderful Masterclass hosts and people practitioners, Linda
Manaena and Nicole Stafford as they help you master the art of showing up and
making you the kind of leader that people long to work with. |
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EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - FACILITATOR ROLE 2021 |
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LG Professionals Tas is seeking a suitably skilled person to take on the role as Facilitator for the Australasian Management Challenge in 2021.
The Australasian Management Challenge is a competitive, simulation-based leadership program where councils from across Australia and New Zealand enter teams to undertake a series of tasks and events based on real local government situations and issues.
Our long-term Tasmanian Facilitator is stepping down after the 2020 Challenge. LG Professionals Tas is seeking a skilled person to take on the role as Observer in 2020 and Facilitator of the Challenge in 2021. The role is to be offered for a minimum of three years.
The Facilitator will ideally have gained skills and experience of working in local government and/or demonstrated knowledge of local government and leading teams. Previous involvement in the Challenge would be an advantage to manage the event and ensure that a high-quality program is delivered in Tasmania.
The skills criteria is found here and on our website. Submissions close on Friday 3 July.
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Annual memberships are just around the corner and your subscription invoice will
be delivered to your inbox around 1 July 2020.
LG Professionals Tas will continue to strive to
expand our charter and membership services for your professional development.
We hope that you will take the time to renew your
membership and remain part of our community. |
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REFLECTIONS OF A FEATHER DUSTER* |
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After 15 years as General Manager of Brighton Council and 32 years in local government, this month will see the retirement of Ron Sanderson.
Ron has kindly articulated his reflections of local government with no malice or criticism intended. *Once a Rooster, now a Feather Duster! |
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- Local government is a unique beast; largely misunderstood by those not directly involved.
- Councils are much maligned by some but comprise (for the most part) good people, both elected and staff.
- Local government offers a rewarding career path in a wide variety of positions.
- There will always be those councils that need external financial and operational support; just as Tasmania needs financial support from the Commonwealth
- Councils are largely respected and supported by their local communities.
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Big Changes in 1993
- When I started at Circular Head in 1987, I had never heard of a “Warden” other than as the head of a prison.
- The Warden was the CEO of the council and many micro-managed the daily operations of council
- The Council Clerk managed staff and administration
- The 1993 Local Government Act and LUPA brought Tasmanian councils in sync with those on the mainland. As did council amalgamations. This put new and onerous demands on both elected members and staff.
- The General Manager became the CEO with full responsibility for hiring/firing staff and all operational matters. Some councils struggled with this (and some still do).
- The council clerks were appointed as general managers which caused some angst in larger councils where the chief/city engineers had enjoyed similar power as council clerks before the change.
- The popular election of mayors changed the dynamics of councils. There have been numerous examples of dysfunction in councils due to the Mayor and Councillors not working together or having different agendas.
Observations
- The state government attempts to reduce red tape with new legislation has made matters worse. The faster, cheaper, simpler state planning scheme is a fine example. Of course, councils take the blame:
- A resident in Brighton complained that the materials for a pergola he was building cost $5,500 which was the same as all the regulatory costs. He was very angry with council. I responded that the cost attributable to council was approximately $380, all the rest were due to state legislation, engineering, building and plumbing fees, etc.
- Liberal governments around Australia bow to the tune of the Property Council and Chambers of Commerce and Industry, particularly for council amalgamations, development charges, regulations and rates.
- A good working relationship and trust between the mayor and general manager is absolutely crucial. There are so many examples where councils have been in great strife as a result of poor relationships between these two.
- Some councils are over managed and/or micro-managed. What is appropriate for one council may not be for another, based on size, location, financial situation and history.
- Some Councillors suffer bullying at the hands of other elected members to the detriment of the council.
- Councillors and mayors elected on a single issue usually fail.
Amalgamation Farce
- Have you ever heard of the community of a small council wanting to amalgamate with a larger neighbouring council?
- Have the proponents or vested interests ever shown that an amalgamated council will:
- Have lower rates? In reality the rates have never gone down
- Have staff reductions? In reality staff and executive numbers increase
- Be more efficient? In reality the bureaucracy increases with size
- The smaller council’s community interest be protected and preserved? In reality they are absorbed into the greater good of the new council
- Contact with elected members not be eroded? In reality this cannot be done in a larger council with fewer Councillors
- Australia has the third largest average council population in the western world. Only the UK and New Zealand are larger and they have no state governments.
- Tasmania’s average council population is approximately 17,300. This compares to Europe of 5,000 and North America of 10,000.
Opinions
- A general manager should get the best finance manager and the best engineer possible and if they don’t work together, fire one of them.
- Never be first and never be last.
- Keep things simple and fit for purpose.
- Education and professional development for staff is essential.
- Always expect loyalty and honesty.
- Before ordering something consider if you would pay for it with your own money.
- Undertake a function analysis of what councils must do and then determine what is the best way to deliver them, in-house or outsourced.
- Consider a successful operation/project as a three-legged stool.
- One who has the idea/vision
- One who makes it happen
- One who permits it to happen
Ron Sanderson
June 2020A message from our President
Sincere thanks to Ron for his significant contribution to local government over many years and his, as usual, thought- provoking newsletter reflections contribution.
I will of course resist the temptation to use the standard “the opinions of Ron are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of LG Professionals Tasmania”. Ron will be sadly missed by local government and I, for one, hope that he continues to share his worldly views in our newsletter for years to come. Finally, I hope that his reflections encourage other members to make similar contributions to your newsletter.
Gary Arnold
President, LG Professionals Tasmania
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF TASMANIA |
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The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) is the State’s peak body for Local Government representing all 29 Tasmanian councils. LGAT works to protect the interests and rights of councils, to promote the efficient operation of Local Government and to foster strategic and collaborative relationships.
Our work frequently involves engagement with State and Federal Governments on legislative and policy issues impacting and managed by councils as well as promoting the positive work Councils deliver for their communities. LGAT also develops members’ capacity and professional development through events and training opportunities.
Our Vision: Vibrant Tasmanian Communities
Our Mission: Help Tasmanian Councils be the best they can be for their communities
LGAT is an incorporated body under the Local Government Act 1993, overseen by a General Management Committee. Our current President is Mayor Christina Holmdahl and CEO is Dr Katrena Stephenson. Find out more at www.lgat.tas.gov.au and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter via @LGATasmania. |
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LGAT WEBINAR - LEADING IN A TIME OF A PANDEMIC |
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Join Dr Katrena Stephenson, CEO LGAT and Mayor Christina Holmdahl, President LGAT as they host a free webinar for the sector that is designed to provide guidance, inspiration and takeaway learnings in response to the unprecedented experience of COVID-19. Leading in a time of a Pandemic is ideal for Human Resources, General Managers, Emergency Management, Communications and Recovery Officers.
The guest speakers include:
- An address from the Hon Peter Gutwein, Premier of Tasmania
- Mathew Healey, Director, Policy and Sector Performance (State Government)
- Professor Libby Lester, The University of Tasmania, The Tasmania Project
- Mayor Bec Enders & Sarah Wilcox, Huon Valley and Kingborough Councils
- Presentation from David Dilger, Edge Legal on work re-integration and legalities
This Thursday 25 June, 10.00 am – 11.00 am
For further information and event registrations please click here.
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UPDATES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT VET QUALIFICATIONS |
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VET qualifications (Certificate III to Diploma) provided for many local government employees are currently being reviewed to ensure significant improvements and changes are made.
At the direction of the Local Government Industry Reference Committee (IRC), SkillsIQ is undertaking the update of all contents packaged within the LGA Local Government Training Package and seeking your views on the final draft of the qualification.
Draft 2 will be open for public validation from Friday 19 June to Friday 10 July 2020. During this time SkillsIQ will undertake a series of general information webinars, subject-focused webinars and stakeholder interviews to engage with industry stakeholders.
Draft 2 material is available for comment on the SkillsIQ Online Feedback Forum. A Validation Guide summarising the proposed changes is available here and to access the Feedback Forum and provide feedback, please click here. |
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