Council Members Training Register
The Local Government Act 1995 requires Western Australian local governments to prepare a report for each financial year on the training completed by elected members in that financial year and to publish the report on the local government’s website. The CEO must publish the report on the local government’s official website within 1 month after the end of the financial year to which the report relates.
Access the Training Matrix by clicking on this link: Council Training Matrix – updated June 2023
Why is universal training being introduced?
Council members have a unique and challenging role. They oversee multi-million dollar budgets and make difficult decisions that impact the well-being of communities.
Unlike board members they are not selected for the role based on their knowledge and experience, but on their leadership and willingness to contribute to the community. Once elected, they are required to make decisions on matters as diverse as planning applications, budgeting, rates, support for community organisations, long term planning or the district and the recruitment of and employment relationship with the CEO. They are also expected to understand and comply with meeting procedures, conflicts of interest and codes of conduct.
What is included in the elected member training?
There are five foundational units that make up the course Council Member Essentials:
o Understanding local government
o Serving on council
o Meeting procedures
o Conflicts of Interest
o Understanding of financial reports and budgets.