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Councillor Training Program

The Minister for Local Government, Richard Wynne MP, launched a training program to ensure Victorians enjoy effective, responsive and accountable local government services.

Recognising the importance of training and induction for councillors following the general council elections in November 2008, a councillor training program has been released – Supporting and Promoting Accountability and Responsibility for Councillors (SPARC).

The SPARC program complements other information and training provided across the local government sector by Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA)
SPARC’s five modules include:

1. Local Leadership outlines how councillors are being encouraged to change council culture and achieve a new standard of leadership at the local level by tackling issues of conduct - both inside and outside council chambers.
Local Leadership (PDF 1160 kb) or (Word 534 kb)

2. How it works sets out local government’s roles and responsibilities according to the Local Government Act 1989. It describes how local government works in terms of the important relationships between councillors, council officers and the community.
How it works (PDF 829 kb) or (Word 569 kb)

3. Accountability promotes good stewardship of councils’ funds, investments, assets and services. This module discusses the responsibilities of councillors in managing council finances and provides an understanding of accounts and accountability.
Accountability (PDF 779 kb) or (Word 431 kb)

4. Meetings looks at council meeting procedures and the range of meetings councillors are likely to attend. While each municipality sets its own framework for council meetings, meetings are generally based on a majority-rule, Westminster-style system.
Meetings (PDF 623 kb) or (Word 258 kb)

5. The Acts contains information on the major acts of parliament and their impact on local government, plus extracts from tables of provisions and the Victorian-State Local Government Agreement.
The Acts (PDF 820 kb) or (Word 499 kb)

Cover (PDF 650 kb) or (Word 2070 kb)

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