local government

integrity matters

DECEMBER 2016

Happy festive season to all!Welcome to our last edition of local government integrity matters for the year.

As you are reading this newsletter, I will be partway through a presentation series to Victorian councils on the work of the Inspectorate as the dedicated integrity agency for local government.

The aim of this information program, by its completion, is to visit the majority of councils in Victoria. From the positivefeedback we have received so far, it is clear these presentations are highly appreciated and an excellent way of informing councillors and senior council staff members of the work of my off e and what the future holds. For more information on this program read the Q & A story below.

Now that council elections have been completed we are focusing on the more complex allegations that havearisen during this period. These matters involve evidence collection and witness interviews to determine if offences have occurred and whether the prosecution threshold is achieved.

As this year draws to an end and local government moves into a quieter period, my office will continue working on our investigations and key council compliance requirements such as councillor codes of conduct and registers of interest.

We wish you a great holiday season and look forward to continuing our work with local government in 2017.

David WolfChief Municipal Inspector

Showcasing our work

Q and A with Chief Municipal Inspector David WolfOver the past few months Chief Municipal Inspector David Wolf has been travelling across the state speaking with councils as part of their induction program for the new council term.

Where has the impetus come from to deliver these presentations to Victorian councils?A key role of all integrity agencies, and one I want the Inspectorate to focus on, is the provision of information and guidanceto help improve the operations of local government. In the early part on the new council term, I think the face-to-face format is particularly important, not just for councils but also for the Inspectorate.

Has this kind of program been delivered before?This is the first time we have visited individual councils in a concentrated period and with new councillors being inducted, the timing is important.

What are the key themes/messages of your presentation?The first part of the presentation is about the Inspectorate and its role across local government in Victoria. This includes some case studies that give greater meaning around the Inspectorate’s work. I am often asked about where the other integrity agencies like IBAC and the Ombudsman fit in, so I spend some time explaining what these agencies do. And finally, I like to look at the future challenges for my office and councils and talk about what we will be focusing on to continue improvements across the sector.

Which councils have you visited so far?We have visited 19 councils so far including Wellington and East Gippsland in theeast of the State, Southern Grampians and Ararat in the west, plus Benalla, Wangaratta and Moira in the north. We have also visited Dandenong, Knox and Surf Coast and will be scheduling more

Surf Coast Shire Mayor Brian McKiterick and David Wolf at a recent Inspectorate presentation

metropolitan councils in the new year.

How has the reception and feedback been so far?Taking the time to speak directly with councillors and councils is incredibly important for us, particularly to personally answer questions about the work. Sometimes, I also get to debunk urban myths surrounding the Inspectorate’s work.

The feedback has been very supportive.It is great to hear from councils about their individual or geographical issues and to also talk with them about consistentthemes like the challenges councillors face when private interests might conflict with council business.

Will you be continuing this program in 2017?Absolutely, yes. I think we have 12 visits already planned and councils that are interested can contact my office to discuss potential dates.

Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate

Questions or comments on this newsletter or our website?Please fill out our feedback survey at oremail (please note: this form is only for feedback on the newsletter or website – we cannot accept complaints about local government on this survey form).

Should you wish to submit acomplaint via our online form, visit the ’ page on our website.

For more information about ourwork:

Encouraging higher standards of integrity, accountability and transparency in local government

Council Election Report for 2016 to be publishedFollowing the 2016 local council election period, the Inspectorate will release its Council Election Report in February 2017.

In the report, we will share with the sector our analysis of the data collected over the election period and outcomes of our follow up work.

With 406 complaints received and assessed, the Inspectorate issued 32 formal warnings and initiated18 complex investigations, which are ongoing.

From this data there are trends already emerging in relation to the most common issues across the sector with respect to elections.

The highest number of complaints lodged with the Inspectorate related to unauthorised electoral material, false or misleading statements and poor behaviour of candidates.

Keep us informedFor anyone wishing to raise a concern about their local council there is a new online complaint form launched as part of the Inspectorate's new website. The form allows any member of the public to make a complaint about someone at their council that may have breached the Local Government Act 1989.

Visit http://www.vic.gov.au/lgici/ complaints.html to access the new form.

Visit www.lgici.vic.gov.au for more details.

New faces at the InspectorateIn support of the election period this year, and in preparation of the reviews required following the amendments to the Local Government Act 1989 in November 2015, the Inspectorate added new members to its team.

Two investigations officers joined in September 2016. After working in multiple roles at the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner and graduating with a Bachelor of Laws and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Rhiannon Jones commenced her role. By working at the Inspectorate, Rhiannon hopes to draw on, and expand her professional experience in regulation.

Prior to working at the Inspectorate, Georgia McGeehan also studied law. Georgia investigates allegations of breaches of the Act and handles complaints relating to the 2016 local government elections in her role. Georgia said her role at the Inspectorate would give her experience working with a small and dedicated team, as well as opportunities to lead investigations and to assist senior investigators with more complex matters.

Daniel Adu also joined the team as an assessment officer. Daniel assesses and registers enquiries and complaints received by the Inspectorate. He works closely with the investigations team to ensure that all correspondence received is appropriately recorded. Previously, Daniel worked in the UK on investigations into healthcare regulators.

Overseeing the newsThe Inspectorate regularly receives information from the local government sector and the general public but it is also useful to keep an eye on media stories related to council business from around the state.

Part of this function involves ensuring the Inspectorate’s findings or work isreported correctly. While the Inspectorate is limited in what is released about current investigations, it is important that it also ensures facts are not misrepresentedand that councils or individuals’ reputations are not unfairly tarnished. The Inspectorate does this by maintaining

close contact with the media and providing the facts that are able to be published.

The Inspectorate also ensures the work is available through other communication. These include newsletters, reports and fact sheets related to the portfolio, which are sent to all Victorian councils and subscribers. To subscribe to our reports, visit the Reports and newsletters page on our website.

The Inspectorate welcomes feedback from the sector; please send any thoughts or opinions on this newsletter to us using this survey form link .

Events and remindersInspectorate presentations to Victorian councils23 January 2017

City of Wodonga

31 January 2017Campaspe Shire Council

1 February 2017 Buloke Shire Council

7 February 2017 Mansfield Shire Council

Important dates 22 February 2017

Final date for councillor code of conduct to be reviewed and any amendments approved at a special council meeting

9 February 2017 Ordinary returns of interest for councillors, members of special committees or nominated officers to be lodged