7.10 Electoral Representation Review - Proposed In- Principle Council Position
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Council Agenda 25/02/19 7.10 Electoral Representation Review - Proposed In- Principle Council Position Abstract The Local Government Act 1989 (the Act) requires the Victorian Electoral Commission (the VEC) to conduct electoral representation reviews (ERR) before every third council election, approximately every 12 years. The last ERR for Boroondara City Council (BCC) was in 2008. Following 2008 review, the VEC’s final recommendation was for BCC to remain with ten single -councillor wards with minor changes to ward boundaries. The ERR will examine: whether BCC has the appropriate number of councillors whether BCC should be unsubdivided, with councillors elected from the whole local council, or subdivided into wards if subdivided, the number of wards, ward boundaries and the number of councillors per ward. Councillors have informally indicated their preference for a single member ward structure, as the most suitable structure for effective representation of their constituents. Officers' recommendation That Council resolve to 1. To give in principle support to single-councillor wards in the electoral representation for Boroondara. 2. To make a preliminary submission to the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) as part of the preliminary submissions stage of the electoral representation review for the Boroondara City Council. City of Boroondara 1049 Council Agenda 25/02/19 Responsible director: David Thompson Governance ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose The purpose of this report is for Council to determine an in principal position on the electoral representation for Boroondara City Council (BCC) in the Electoral Representation Review (ERR) being conducted by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC). 2. Policy implications and relevance to community plan and council plan The ERR will determine the number of wards, the ward boundaries, ward names and the number of councillors for the City of Boroondara in time for the Council elections scheduled for October 2020. The ERR will provide the citizens of Boroondara with the opportunity to shape the electoral representation for Boroondara for the next 12 years. This report is consistent with the strategy within the Council Plan 2017-21 to “Ensure Council is open, transparent, inclusive and accountable to the community through sound governance practices for making and implementing decisions". 3. Background The Minister for Local Government has given has given notice that electoral representation reviews of 31 councils must be completed by 24 April 2020. The electoral representation review for BCC must be completed by 31 December 2019. The Local Government Act 1989 (the Act) requires the VEC to review each council before every third general election. Representation reviews occur approximately every 12 years, and the last review for BCC was in 2008. Following 2008 review, the VEC’s final recommendation was for BCC to remain with ten single -councillor wards with minor changes to ward boundaries. The VEC commenced the electoral representation review (ERR) for BCC on 13 February 2019. A representation review ensures that the electoral structure of a local council provides fair and equitable representation for all voters. A review considers: whether a local council has the appropriate number of councillors whether the local council should be unsubdivided, with councillors elected from the whole local council, or subdivided into wards if subdivided, the number of wards, ward boundaries and the number of councillors per ward. When the review is complete, the VEC makes a final recommendation to the Minister for Local Government. Any changes to the electoral structure of the council then apply at the next general election. City of Boroondara 1050 Council Agenda 25/02/19 4. Outline of key issues/options The ERR will determine the number of wards, the ward boundaries, ward names and the number of councillors for BCC in time for the Council elections scheduled for October 2020. Summary of 2008 Review The last electoral representation review for BCC took place in 2008. Prior to the review, BCC had ten councillors elected from ten single-councillor wards. Following the 2008 review, the VEC’s final recommendation was for BCC to remain with ten single-councillor wards with a minor change to ward boundaries. The VEC’s recommendation was based on the following considerations: the City of Boroondara’s large voter population, compact size as an urban council and its relatively low rate of population growth while there were differences in the level of socio-economic disadvantage experienced in various areas within the City of Boroondara, this disadvantage was not as severe or as widespread as it was in other metropolitan councils strong community support for the existing number of councillors and ward structure BCC’s investment into public consultation processes meant single-ward councillors were knowledgeable on broader issues as well as local issues. The VEC’s preliminary recommendation was for BCC to increase to 11 councillors. Comparing the City of Boroondara with similar local councils, the VEC found that the city’s population was within the range of metropolitan local councils served by 11 councillors. However, most submissions (including BCC’s submission) argued that 10 councillors and the single-ward structure had worked well. Although there were distinct senses of place within the City of Boroondara, the VEC also found that there was not the same demographic diversity and socio-economic complexity that existed in other metropolitan local councils. Low forecasted population growth and relatively limited socio- economic complexity within the local council area contributed to the VEC’s final decision to recommend that the Council continue with 10 councillors. Electoral Structures of all Victorian Councils The electoral structures of all Victorian councils is set out in Attachment 1. Positive and Less Positive Features of Electoral Structures There are a number of positive and less positive features with different electoral structures. These are set out in Attachment 2. Electoral Structure for Boroondara Councillors have informally indicated their preference for a single member ward structure, as the most suitable structure for effective representation of their constituents. City of Boroondara 1051 Council Agenda 25/02/19 Based upon the analysis of the current boundaries and voter numbers for BCC changes will be required to ensure compliance with the Act. To do so, officers will be required to conduct a more detailed review of ward boundaries and population demographics, in order to demonstrate the existence of distinct communities of interest which are appropriate to single-councillor representation, by focusing on communities with: common interests or concerns; a sense of identity distinguishable from other communities; common needs; or who can be defined by the physical geography or natural and or arterial boundaries. In identifying communities of interest, officers will need to pay particular attention to identifying localised socio-economic characteristics, which can be used to define communities of interest, for example, communities characterised by: similar age and family profiles, e.g. high proportions of young children, elderly or retired persons or single parent families. similarities in terms of demand for services such as maternal & child health centres or aged care facilities. populations employed in similar, or mutually dependant industries. significant cultural diversity, such as communities with high proportions of residents born overseas and/or non-English-speaking residents. significant localised cultural or religious similarities. higher levels of home ownership or purchase, or conversely areas with a significant proportion of residents in rental or public housing. significant disparity in household incomes from the broader community. central focal points which establish strong connections between residents in a localised community. higher levels of property development, similar types of development or housing density. 5. Consultation/communication Much of the information to be provided to the Boroondara community on the ERR process will be delivered by the VEC. The VEC has produced a Local Council Representation Review Submission Guide for BCC. A copy of the guide is at Attachment 3. This guide outlines the review process and the opportunities for public input, and provides important information about the issues that submissions may address. It also includes specific information about BCC and sample submissions to help the community prepare their own submission. The following advice from the VEC sets out the key dates in their review timeline: City of Boroondara 1052 Council Agenda 25/02/19 Wednesday 13 Preliminary public submissions open February 2019 The VEC accepts written submissions from the public at the start of the review. All submissions are carefully considered and taken into account before the preliminary report is prepared. Advertisements are also placed in the Herald Sun and local newspapers notifying the public of the review. Thursday 14 Public information session February 2019 A public information session was held at 7.00 pm on Thursday 14 February 2019 in the Zelman Room at the Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. Anyone interested in making a submission or with questions about the review process was urged to attend. Wednesday 13 Closing date for preliminary submissions March 2019