Campbelltown City Council
Local Government Elections
Candidate Briefing Session
3 September 2014
Presented by
Lyn Townsend, Manager Governance & Communications
Campbelltown City Council
Topics for Discussion
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About Campbelltown
Introduction to Local Government
Roles & Functions of Council
Role of Elected Members
Role of the CEO & Staff
What if I am Elected?
Campbelltown City Council
About Campbelltown
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Established as District Council on 2 March 1868
Proclaimed a City on 6 May 1960
Estimated population (at 30 June 2013) was 50,893
Further demographic information available at:
http://www.campbelltown.sa.gov.au/profile
Campbelltown City Council
About Campbelltown
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Annual Budget - $37.5m
Area covered by the City - 24.35 square km
Length of roads under Council’s care & control - 278 km
Features:
Thorndon Park
Wadmore Park / Pulyonna Wirra
Gums Reserve
River Torrens Linear Park
Lochiel Park
Campbelltown City Council
Services Provided
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Administration Building
and Hall Maintenance
Asset ManagementFootpaths
Asset Management-Road
Transport
Asset ManagementStormwater
Cemeteries
Community Engagement
Community Transport
Corporate and
Community Services
Management
Customer and Community
Services
Depot Operations
Economic Development
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Elected Members and
Civic Functions
Environmental Control
and Public Order
Environmental Health
Environmental
Management
Executive Services
Finance
Governance and
Communications
Information Services
Infrastructure Services
Management
Leisure Services
Library Services
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Organisational
Development
Parks and Reserves
Policy Planning and
Development
Assessment
Services for Older People
Sport and Recreation
Facilities
Street Lighting
Tree Maintenance and
Replacement
Urban Planning and
Leisure Services
Management
Waste Management
Youth Development
Campbelltown City Council
Introduction to Local Government
 3 spheres of Government:
Federal – powers are outlined in the Constitution
State – derives its powers from the Federal & State
Constitutions
Local – State Government sets out the legal
framework for Councils
Campbelltown City Council
Introduction to Local Government
 In South Australia:
69 Councils, each is an independent body
Some have Mayors, some have Chairpersons
Known as the sphere of government closest to the
people, its primary source of income is rate revenue
More than $1 billion per annum spent on a range of
essential services and maintaining $8.5 billion worth of
local community infrastructure
Campbelltown City Council
Introduction to Local Government
 About Campbelltown:
Positions available at the election:
Mayor
2 Ward Councillors
Gorge Ward
2 Ward Councillors
Hectorville Ward
2 Ward Councillors
Newton Ward
2 Ward Councillors
River Ward
2 Ward Councillors
Woodforde Ward
Campbelltown City Council
Roles & Functions of Council
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Being a representative, informed and responsible
decision-maker in the interests of its community.
Participating in public policy development and
planning activities with the other spheres of
Government.
Providing and coordinating services and facilities that
benefit its area, ratepayers, residents and visitors.
Developing its community and resources in a socially
acceptable and sustainable manner.
Campbelltown City Council
Roles & Functions of Council
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Providing for the well-being and interests of individual and
groups within its community.
Representing the interests of its community.
Enhancing, protecting and conserving the environment.
Regulating local activities such as building, keeping
animals, parking and public health.
Campbelltown City Council
The Mayor’s Role
 Section 58 of Local Government Act 1999 states that it
is the Mayor’s role to:
 Preside at meetings of the Council
 Provide advice, if required, to the Chief Executive Officer between
Council meetings on the implementation of a Council decision
 Act as the principal spokesperson of the Council
 Exercise other functions of the Council as the Council determines
 Carry out the civic and ceremonial duties of the office of principal
member
Campbelltown City Council
Role of Elected Members
 Member of the governing body
 Elected Members individually have no legal role or
decision making power
 It is an Elected Member’s role to:
1. Represent the interests of residents and ratepayers
2. Provide community leadership and guidance
3. Facilitate communication between the community and
the Council
Campbelltown City Council
Role of Elected Members
 Participate in the deliberations and civic activities of the
Council
 Review Council's objectives and policies
 Review Council's resource allocation, expenditure, and
the efficiency and effectiveness of its service delivery
Campbelltown City Council
Role of Elected Members
 In practice this means:
 Participate in Council meetings, conducted twice per month, in
accordance with the formal meeting procedures
 Participate in Council Committees and/or Development Assessment
Panel
 Objectively analyse reports presented to Council
 Present arguments and constructively debate matters before making
informed decisions on behalf of the whole community
Campbelltown City Council
Role of Elected Members
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Contribute to guiding Council’s strategic directions and governance
Adopting policies and budgets to provide a framework for the provision
of services and programs
Elected Members have no direct authority over an employee of the
Council with respect to the way in which the employee performs his or
her duties
The Code of Conduct for Elected Members (a mandated legislative
requirement applying to all SA Councils) provides guidance regarding
expectations of behaviour
Campbelltown City Council
Role of the CEO & Staff
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The CEO is responsible for all operational matters, staff matters and for
ensuring that Council’s plans, policies and decisions are implemented
The CEO’s role is outlined in Section 99 of the Local Government Act
The CEO has specific responsibility for Staff management
The CEO and Staff:
 Provide advice and guidance of a professional, technical or social nature
 Assist Elected Members in the policy and decision making process
 Action the business of Council on behalf of the elected body
 Provide effective management of Council’s resources and services
 Operate within the policies of Council
Campbelltown City Council
First Meetings
 First CEO’s Briefing Session at 6pm on Tuesday 18
November 2014
 Leading Campbelltown – Residential Training
Program at Serafino, McLaren Vale on Friday 21
and Saturday 22 November
 The first Council meeting will be at 7.30pm on
Tuesday 2 December 2014
Campbelltown City Council
What if I am elected?
 4 year term
 Council meetings (1st & 3rd Tuesday per month) except January
 Development Assessment Panel (1st & 3rd Tuesday per month)
except January
 Committees (mostly quarterly meeting schedules)
 Monthly CEO Briefing Sessions (2nd Monday each month)
 Responsibility for:
Financial Management
Legislative compliance
Asset Management
Service provision
Campbelltown City Council
What if I am elected?
 Formal and informal duties of Elected Members can be a
high commitment.
 Additional to Council / Committee meetings:
There are civic activities and community events to attend
Community members may ask for assistance
Members may be appointed by Council to external bodies
Training sessions and LGA meetings
Campbelltown City Council
What if I am elected?
 Voluntary position with a legislated allowance
 From 2 December 2014, the regulated allowance will be:
Ward Councillor
$15,900
Deputy Mayor
$19,875
Mayor
$63,600
A member may decline to accept payment or part payment of
their allowance
 Chairperson’s allowance (prescribed or sitting fee)
 Members may claim expenses and support in line with
Council’s Elected Members Allowances’ and Support Policy
Campbelltown City Council
What if I am elected?
 Legal Responsibilities:
Code of Conduct
Register of Interests
Conflict of Interest
Civil liability protection for Members
Campbelltown City Council
Other Matters
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Campaign Donation Returns
 Must be completed by all candidates (whether elected
or not) and returned to the CEO within 30 days of
conclusion of the election
Voters Roll
Election Signs
Nominations close at 12 noon, Tuesday 16 September 2014
Campbelltown City Council
Questions
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Contact details:
 Council www.campbelltown.sa.gov.au
Lyn Townsend ltownsend@campbelltown.sa.gov.au or 8366 9234
Jan Franklin jfranklin@campbelltown.sa.gov.au or 8366 9239
 Electoral Commission of SA
www.ecsa.sa.gov.au or telephone 1300 655 232
 Local Government Association of South Australia
www.lga.sa.gov.au or telephone 8224 2000