2023-02-07 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   7 FEBRUARY 2023




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                            7 FEBRUARY 2023

                                                        Council advocated that the structure has been reduced to 1
                                                        person  to  hold  the  responsibility of these   previous  5
                                                        communities, leading to a high workload and pressure.

                                                        Council stated that under the Local Government Act 2009,
                                                        divisional councillors hold veto rights for decisions relating to
                                                        trust matters, as the trustee of DOGIT Land. While community
                                                        forums are established in the legislation for the governance of
                                                       veto, this has not been practical as it would require a secretary
                                                        to be funded by NPARC and community members would need
                                                        to be compensated for their time if expected to be involved in
                                                        community   forums,   leading  an  increased   workload   on
                                                        divisional councillors compared to councillors within other
                                                        Indigenous shire councils.

                                                       Additionally, Council stated that the current remuneration
                                                        structure does not empower community members into career
                                                        pathways into the stream of elected members. Further that
                                                        there are limited opportunities for the younger population to
                                                        have career pathways in the space of governance of local
                                                        government. Council argued that the community used to look
                                                        forward  to the  leadership and    opportunities that were
                                                        available.

                       Request                         The Commission review the current remuneration structure to
                                                        ensure that:
                                                            (a) Local Government can remain a viable career pathway
                                                                for the future sustainability of our councils; and
                                                            (b) the remuneration structure recognises the additional
                                                                responsibilities  of   divisional   councillors   of
                                                                amalgamated indigenous councils.
                       Determination                   The Commission will commence its review of categories and
                                                        the category system in 2023 and take into consideration the
                                                        matters raised. All Councils are invited to participate in the
                                                        2023 review. No change to the current category pending the
                                                        Commission’s 2023 review.

                                                       The matters    raised  have  been also   considered   by the
                                                        Commission as part of its annual review of the maximum
                                                        remuneration payable to mayors and councillors.

       LOCAL GOVERNMENT REMUNERATION COMMISSION | ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22                                             31

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