2018 LGA Conference & AGM | LGASA Mutual Directors | Rate capping | Code of Conduct | LGA submissions | State Planning Commission appointment No Images? Click here Vol 3: Issue 38 - Monday 8 October 2018 Our 2018 LGA AGM and Conference will be an event to remember. Coming at the end of a four year council term, it’s an opportunity for us to look back on what we’ve achieved working together, and where we can go from here. The AGM will also include the handover to a new President and Board, who will provide leadership to the Association and sector for the coming two years. And, as always, it will be an opportunity for us to recognise our long serving council members at the Conference Dinner on Thursday night. I hope to see you there! LGA President Sue Clearihan 2018 LGA Conference and AGM program now availableThe program for this year’s LGA Conference and AGM is now available and can be downloaded here. We’ve organised a terrific line up of speakers, including diversity and inclusion advocate Amna Karra-Hassan, who founded the first ever AFL Women's team in Western Sydney. We will also hear from LGA Tasmania CEO Katrena Stephenson about the reforms underway in her state, as well as University of South Australia Professor Wendy Lacey on how 'one person can make a difference'. A number of panel sessions will be held throughout the day, with participants such as Business SA CEO Nigel McBride, Regional Development South Australia Chair Rob Kerin, Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO Heather Croall, and UDIA Executive Director Pat Gerace. This year’s event will be held at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 October, and you can register to attend here. LGASA Mutual DirectorsThe restructure of the LGA Schemes continues to progress, with a CEO and two additional directors recently appointed to oversee the running of new subsidiary body LGASA Mutual. Dr Andrew Johnson has been appointed as the first CEO of LGASA Mutual, and will be responsible for overseeing the service delivery contract with JLT, improved overall governance of the schemes, and ensuring that the Schemes continue to deliver value to members. Andrew was previously the CEO for Port Pirie Council, and more recently has worked on a number of strategic projects for the LGA, including the implementation of the Association’s new governance arrangements and running the LGA President, SAROC and GAROC elections. David Holston has been appointed as the Independent Chair and Dascia Bennett has been appointed as an independent director, with both joining existing director LGA CEO Matt Pinnegar on the Board. David is currently a Board Member and Chair of the Investment Committee at the Statewide Superannuation Fund, as well as Chair of the Investment Committee to the Public Trustee in South Australia; while Dascia has held senior executive roles with industry and public sector funds including Australian Super, REST, EISS and NGS Super. A third director representing the State Government will be appointed to the Board shortly. The restructure of our sector’s Mutual Liability and Worker’s Compensation Schemes is predicted to save our councils more than $40 million over the next ten years, and Andrew, David, Dascia and Matt will provide strategic leadership to help deliver this outcome. Rate cappingWith Labor, SA-BEST and the Greens all opposed to rate capping, the Government’s rate capping legislation is set to fail in the Upper House. However, there is no current timeline for the legislation to be brought on for debate in the Legislative Council. The Minister was asked during the recent Estimates process when this would happen, and declined to provide a date, saying it was a matter for the Upper House. However, he confirmed that $197,000 had been allocated to ESCOSA to prepare for the implementation of rate capping in 2019/20, and that ESCOSA would continue with this work because “it is disrespectful to assume the Legislative Council's position on anything until the bill is voted on”. We are concerned that further tax payer funds could be spent on a policy that is set to be defeated, and the LGA will be encouraging the Government to introduce the Bill in the Upper House so it can be voted on and decided once and for all. Both the Government and the Opposition have plans for other local government reforms, and we are keen to work with all parties on these opportunities, but the Minister confirmed during estimates that the Government wants Parliament to make a decision on their rate capping policy before they progress other reform ideas. The new boundary adjustment legislation that will come into effect from 1 January was also raised during Estimates, with the Minister saying that he does not have any immediate plans to initiate boundary reform proposals, but wouldn’t rule out the possibility of State Government led boundary reform during this term of government. He also confirmed that councils themselves would be responsible for the costs associated with boundary adjustment proposals they choose to bring forward for consideration by the Commission. You can read the full extract of the Estimate Committee’s questions on local government matters from 27 September 2018 here. Code of ConductFor the past 12 months, the LGA has been advocating strongly for a stronger Code of Conduct and associated processes to ensure there are adequate safeguards for council members and staff against bullying and harassment. We put a proposal to the former government and invited all political parties to a roundtable in January to discuss reforms that are aimed at protecting the health and wellbeing of everyone in the sector by enabling swift and decisive action to be undertaken when behavioral standards are breached. A comprehensive investigation report released by the SA Ombudsman last week reached the conclusion that there are deficiencies in the current statutory framework in relation to bullying and harassment. In light of this, the Ombudsman recommended that the State Government undertake a review of the Local Government Act 1999 and the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 to consider necessary reforms. The LGA welcomes this recommendation by the SA Ombudsman, and it is pleasing to see that Minister Stephan Knoll has said that the State Government will consider these findings. The Minister also confirmed during Estimates Committee on 27 September that Code of Conduct reform is on their agenda, and this was included as a priority action for the Office of Local Government in the 2018/19 State Budget. Everyone in local government should have the right to operate in a safe environment that is free from bullying and harassment. Now is the time for the SA Parliament to work with local government to make this happen. LGA submissionsOne of the ways that the LGA represents and advocates for the sector is through providing submissions to different government inquiries. In the past few weeks, the LGA has provided submissions on the National Waste Policy, heritage, overabundant species, and the economic contribution of migration to South Australia. A submission is also currently being finalised on NRM Reform and will be provided to the Government shortly. Input from the sector into LGA submissions is usually sought through our weekly circulars, which you can register to receive through our website. New State Planning Commission Chair appointedThe State Government has announced the appointment of Mr Michael Lennon as the Chair of the State Planning Commission (the Commission) following the resignation of inaugural Chair Mr Tim Anderson QC. Mr Lennon is a current Commission member, and has 25-years’ experience in housing, planning and urban development. The LGA looks forward to working with Mr Lennon and all members of the State Planning Commission to bring a strong local government voice to the implementation of the State’s new planning system. For further information or to submit |