User:Councilguy/Local Government Association of South Australia

The Local Government Association of South Australia is an incorporated body established by Local Government Bodies within the State of South Australia to provide leadership and represent their interests. It is incorporated through Schedule 1 of the Local Government Act 1999 - an Act of the South Australian Parliament. The Association traces its history to 1875 when the first municipal association in Australian was established in SA - but has grown significantly in influence since 1968 when two bodies merged to create a single Association.

Membership of the Association is voluntary and all Councils under the Local Government Act are members along with Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yunkajatjara (and Aboriginal body representing communities in the Far North West corner of the State). Associate members include Nepabunna Aboriginal Community, Gerard Aboriginal Community and the Outback Areas Community Development Trust. The LGA is primarily funded by member subscriptions, and Councils receive many direct and indirect benefits as a result of being a member of the Association.

The LGA is recognised as the peak representative body for Local Government in SA and describes itself as being the "Voice of Local Government South Australia". An example of its work can be seen in this 2009 video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldCfzDTe3Is.

The LGA is federated nationally with interstate and territory associations in the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA): http://www.alga.asn.au.

The LGA is mentioned in more than 23 other Acts of the SA Parliament - most commonly to nominate appointments to State bodies or requiring Ministers to consult with the LGA before taking certain actions.

The mission of the LGA is to provide leadership to Councils for the benefit of the South Australian community.

To achieve this mission the Association has set itself four key areas of activity:

* Strengthening relationships with all spheres of government; * Enhancing the financial capacity of Local Government; * Facilitating the continued development and enhancement of Local Government; and * Promoting participation in, and an understanding of, Local Government.

Decision Making

Each year, under its constitution, the LGA conducts both a General Meeting and an Annual General Meeting. The purpose of these meetings is for members to determine the policy direction of the Association. Each member Council appoints a delegate to vote at these meetings. Votes are weighted relative to the population size of each Council. Agendas and Minutes for each GM and AGM can be found here: GM/AGM meeting info.

Once policies have been set by the meeting, the LGA State Executive Committee, with the assistance of the LGA Secretariat, guides their implementation.

The policies and principles adopted by the Association are outlined in the LGA's Policy Manual. This manual, along with the Association's Constitution, Strategic Plan, Annual Priorities and Annual Report are available on the Association's website at http://www.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/corpdocs.

LGA State Executive Committee

The eighteen member committee consists of Council Members who are elected to represent their geographical region of Councils. Committee Members serve for a two year period. Agendas and Minutes for each State Executive Committee meeting can be found on the Association's website.

Examples of recent LGA activities resulting in positive outcomes for Councils include:

* Producing guidelines and manuals to assist Councils in areas such as financial sustainability, governance and environmental matters; * Campaigning vigorously to protect and enhance grants provided by the Federal and State Governments (eg local roads and community waste water management); * Ensuring consultation with Local Government on legislation and related issues; * Submissions and lobbying on major Federal and State Government inquiries; * Negotiating a bulk electricity purchase contract in partnership with the State Government, saving Councils $1.2 M per annum; * Staging major conferences, education, training workshops and forums on matters relevant and topical to Local Government; and * Supporting a website content management system and common online services arrangements for Councils to maintain a robust internet presence while sharing costs.

LGA Secretariat

Led by the Executive Director, the LGA Secretariat consists of a small team of skilled employees who provide support to the State Executive Committee and carry out activities determined by Councils at LGA General Meetings.

The duties of the Secretariat include:

* Liaising with government agencies on sector-wide issues on behalf of Councils; * Lobbying Members of Parliament in accordance with State Executive Committee directions; * Working with the media to improve understanding of Local Government; * Support for Local Government and LGA enterprises; * Undertaking research to assist in policy development and decision making; * Developing codes and guidelines designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Council operations; * Providing information to Councils; * Providing Councils with education and training support; and * Offering an industrial advisory service.

The LGA has an office at 16 Hutt Street, Adelaide.