Council Member Essentials - training for Local Government Councillors

This unit provides you with the relevant information required to serve as a council member. You will gain an understanding of the composition, structure and operational functions of government, and in particular Western Australian local governments.

This unit is designed to give council members the confidence to perform their role. As a council member, we'll help you understand your role and responsibilities in leading and supporting your communities while following the processes and procedures of your local government.

A practical tool for council members who are required to actively participate in council and committee meetings. You will increase your knowledge of meeting procedures and high-level debating skills used to guide council decision making.

You will gain an understanding of financial, indirect-financial, proximity and impartially interest, disclosure of interests at meetings, and the association between gifts and conflicts of interests. You should be able to identify potential and actual conflicts of interest and understand your obligations in relation to declaring interests.

Provides you with the understanding of a council’s responsibility in respect to the financial governance of the local government. It outlines the linkage between strategic planning, asset management planning and long term financial planning. You will gain an understanding of the benefits of undertaking financial forecasting and the impacts key decision making may have on the organisation’s financial health.  The unit prepares you to review and interpret financial reports and budgets.