Premier's Local Government CouncilStatewide partnership agreements About the Premier's Local Government CouncilThe Premier's Local Government Council (PLGC) is a high-level forum for discussions between the State Government and local government on issues of statewide significance. It was established in 2000 and meets three times a year to discuss topical and continuing issues. The PLGC membership comprises the Premier, who chairs the Council, the Minister for Local Government, the President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) and seven elected local government representatives from various Tasmanian councils. Local Government representation on the PLGC is drawn from the General Management Committee of the Local Government Association of Tasmania. Members can be mayors, deputy mayors or councillors. The Council is supported by an Officials Committee made up of State Government and local government officers. PLGC and Officials Committee membership lists. The PLGC is established by a protocol agreement, which sets out the principles of the PLGC, terms of reference, procedural matters, work program and consultation procedures. A revised protocol agreement was signed on 9 December 2004.
Stronger Councils, Better ServicesStronger Councils, Better Services is an initiative of the Premier’s Local Government Council. The State Government committed $200 000 to support the initiative, the aim of which is to strengthen local government in Tasmania. The initiative’s four focus areas are:
During 2009, progress was made on all four focus areas. Achievements and activities are summarised below. Shared Services Grants ProgramFour grants were provided under the Shared Services Grants Program:
All projects are expected to be completed by early 2010. Local Government BoardLegislative amendments following the review of the Local Government Board were passed in Parliament in June. The amendments related to the structure and role of the Local Government Board and seek to give the Board greater flexibility and a more strategic function. The amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 are expected to commence following the conclusion of the current review in early 2010. It should be noted that the current review includes the development of guiding principles for future voluntary mergers. It is anticipated that the guiding principles will be an important component within the PLGC's 2010 focus on local government sustainability. Good GovernanceThe Local Government Division ran a number of training workshops for councils across the State. It also prepared a number of information sheets to guide councils in their understanding of the Local Government Act 1993. LGAT incorporated into its census questions relating to training to identify areas in which elected members would like to receive training. The top three responses were governance, planning and development, and budget and finance. LGAT also started work with the University of Tasmania on a short course for elected members on land-use planning. The State Government provided $33 400 to assist with the development of the course. Business SustainabilityThe State Government provided $70 000 to LGAT to commission the development of financial and asset management planning frameworks. Consultants trialled a draft framework with six Tasmanian councils. The Local Government Division and LGAT collaborated to attract funding to the State under the Commonwealth Government's $25 million Local Government Reform Fund (LGRF). For further information, contact the Local Government Division on 6232 7022, or the Local Government Association of Tasmania on 6233 5960.
Statewide partnership agreementsStatewide partnership agreements are developed under the Premier's Local Government Council. To date, there have been five statewide partnership agreements, three of which have concluded after full implementation:
Find out more about the statewide partnership agreements.
Meeting communiquésThe Premier's Local Government Council meets three times a year in various locations around the State and generally issues a communiqué after each meeting. Meeting 30: 2 October 2009
Review of the operations and functions of the Local Government BoardThe future role and activities of the Board are being considered as part of the Premier’s Local Government Council’s Stronger Councils, Better Services project.
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