LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY Annual Report 2015-2016 1 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY 2 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY Table of Contents Chief Executive Officer’s Report ................................................................................................ 5 PRESIDENT’S REPORT ON BEHALF OF THE EXECUTIVE .................................................... 7 About This Report .....................................................................................................................10 About The Association ..............................................................................................................11 High Level Elements of LGANT’s Strategic Plan .......................................................................12 Membership 2015-2016 ............................................................................................................13 Local Government Areas in the Northern Territory as at 30 June 2016 .....................................14 Executive Committee Members 2015-2016 ...............................................................................15 LGANT Organisational Structure as at 30 June 2016 ................................................................23 Service Providers and Sponsors ...............................................................................................24 Annual Priority Achievements 2015-2016..................................................................................25 Goal 1 – To enhance the status of local government .............................................................25 1.1 Conduct a Territory wide satisfaction survey on local government. ..............................25 1.2 Prepare and disseminate information products to member councils. ............................25 1.3 Work with councils to ensure communication materials are up to date and online. .......25 1.4 Review and implement LGANT communication plan. ...................................................26 Goal 2 To enhance the performance of local government......................................................27 2.1 Provide councils with specialist human resources and industrial relations services. .....27 2.2 Facilitate training and professional development activities for elected and local authority members and staff. ............................................................................................................30 2.3 Review all existing LGANT policies, research and develop new policies for submission to the Executive and General meetings for approval. .........................................................34 2.4 Assist member councils with their policy and by-law development. ..............................34 2.5 Continue councils to implement policies and procedures that facilitate financial sustainability. .....................................................................................................................37 2.6 Work towards the full incorporation of the Northern Territory under the Local Government Act with the exception of special purpose areas. .........................................37 2.7 Work with councils to gather relevant data including the development of checklists, for the production of an annual ‘State of the Local Government Sector’ report for the Northern Territory. ............................................................................................................................38 2.8 Convene appropriate meetings with member councils to facilitate collaboration, sector policy development and provide networking opportunities. .................................................38 2.9 Produce sector wide guidelines for use by members ....................................................49 2.10 Assist member councils to develop reconciliation action plans as per CEO reference group item ..........................................................................................................................49 Goal 3 To effectively advocate for and represent member councils ......................................50 3 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY 3.1 Work with councils to secure tenure on land with council assets ..................................50 3.2 Submit proposals in response to legislation, policy or programs which are enacted or proposed by the Territory and Commonwealth Governments. ............................................50 3.3 Ensure appropriate Local Government representation on relevant boards and committees ........................................................................................................................51 3.4 Provide information and support to ALGA and other state associations .......................53 3.5 Facilitate engagement and collaboration between Local and Northern Territory governments in relation to Local Government matters such as: .........................................54 Goal 4 Maintain an effective and efficient service ..................................................................60 4.1 Maintain the servicing of the LGANT local road network as identified by the Northern Territory Grants Commission .............................................................................................60 4.2 Review and refine LGANT’s internal systems and processes. ......................................63 4.3 Adopt a long term asset and financial management plan and ensure processes are in place for integration with annual budget and financial reporting. ........................................64 4.4 Manage the leasing and maintenance requirements for Units 1 - 5, and contribute to the effective management of 21 Parap Road through the body corporate. ...............................64 Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2016 ............................................................65 Official publication of the Local Government Association of the Northern Territory © 2016 4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY Chief Executive Officer’s Report Mayor Damien Ryan President Local Government Association of the Northern Territory PO Box 2017 PARAP NT 0804 Dear President Section 22.2 of the LGANT constitution requires me to present you with this annual report which includes the audited annual financial statements for the 2015-16 financial year. The financial position and performance of LGANT was sound as at 30 June 2016 in that it: had a manageable cash flow could pay its debts as they fell due met its obligations in respect of one of its largest liabilities (bank loan) for its office premises had no major irregularities to report was a going concern largely due to financial support from: o member councils for: . member subscriptions . payment of service charges . the provision of venues by the Alice Springs and Katherine Town Councils, City of Darwin and West Arnhem Regional Council for LGANT’s general and reference group meetings o the Northern Territory government in respect of grants for: . local government excellence and reform . disaster relief recovery . waste management o the Commonwealth government in respect of grants for: . local roads – financial assistance grant . roads to recovery o sponsors contributing to the cost of LGANT meetings: . Jardine Lloyd Thompson . TIO . Maloney Field Services . Statewide Financial Management Services. 5 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY I thank the LGANT staff for their wonderful contributions throughout the year as well as the consultants and service providers that have assisted LGANT meet its objectives. Tony Tapsell CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY PRESIDENT’S REPORT ON BEHALF OF THE EXECUTIVE Dear members, LGANT and its member councils have been busy throughout the 2015-16 Financial Year. Some of the key issues include: Street-lighting: A proposal to transfer street-light ownership to councils was complex because no formal agreements existed between councils and the Power and Water Corporation. This made it necessary to draft and negotiate an agreement that satisfied this requirement. LGANT was grateful for the support of member councils in completing this work, in particular that given by the Cities of Palmerston and Darwin and the legal firm, Wallmans. By 30 June 2016 most councils had resolved to approve the agreement, which means councils will take over the ownership and control of these assets from 1 January 2018. They will have to include them as part of their management plans for infrastructure assets. Local Government Act Review: The Department of Local Government and Community Services announced plans early in the year to review the Local Government Act via a working party comprising both departmental and LGANT representatives. I was pleased to be appointed as the Chair and to participate in its deliberations which concluded in January 2016. A wide number of amendments were considered and this was later followed up with a release from the department of a discussion paper on 14 April 2016. LGANT put in a submission on 19 July 2016 to the department and it is expected that new legislation will be in place sometime next financial year. I thank all persons that participated in the exercise as much work went into it with many amendments designed to lead to governance improvements. Elected Member Service Awards: This year saw LGANT issue, for the first time, elected member service awards recognising the contributions