Introduction Local government in Victoria functions and the exercise of powers and the use of resources. manages approximately $84.6 It is a statutory requirement that councils billion of community assets and prepare and report on medium and infrastructure and spends around term plans in order to discharge their duties $7.7 billion on the provision of of accountability and transparency to their communities. services annually. Local government, in partnership with About this guide other levels of government, is This guide has been developed to assist responsible for aspects of local government in meeting the statutory everyday life that people care requirements in regard to the preparation of a strategic resource plan. The guide is about deeply from vibrant and – presented in five sections: safe public spaces, to accessible Planning and accountability libraries, to strong local business framework: provides an overview of the and employment opportunities. relationship between the key planning and reporting documents in the Act Effective planning and reporting by councils is essential for Strategic resource plan (overview): provides an overview of the statutory ensuring transparency and requirements and better practice accountability to the community guidance for preparing a strategic and other levels of government resource plan as to how public money is being Strategic resource plan (guidance): provides detailed guidance on the spent and the quality of services preparation of the strategic resource delivered. plan, including the process for identifying, collecting, modelling and The Local Government Act 1989 reporting forecast information The Local Government Act 1989 (the Act) Strategic resource plan (model): states that the primary objective of a council provides a model strategic resource plan is to endeavour to achieve the best prepared in accordance with the Act and outcomes for the local community having regulations for inclusion in the council regard to the long-term and cumulative plan effects of decisions. The Act sets out that Strategic resource plan (alternative local government in Victoria: provides a model strategic format): is a distinct and essential tier of resource plan prepared in line with government better practice guidance. must provide governance and This guide is intended for use by specialists leadership for the local community in the field of local government planning through advocacy, decision making and reporting. It will also be instructive for and action senior officers including chief executive must be accountable to their local officers (CEOs) and councillors. Each communities in the performance of council retains the responsibility for preparing their strategic resource plan,
Introduction Local government in Victoria manages approximately $84.6 billion of community assets and infrastructure and spends around $7.7 billion on the provision of services annually. Local government, in partnership with other levels of government, is responsible for aspects of everyday life that people care about deeply – from vibrant and safe public spaces, to accessible libraries, to strong local business and employment opportunities. Effective planning and reporting by councils is essential for ensuring transparency and accountability to the community and other levels of government as to how public money is being spent and the quality of services delivered. The Local Government Act 1989 The Local Government Act 1989 (the Act) states that the primary objective of a council is to endeavour to achieve the best outcomes for the local community having regard to the long-term and cumulative effects of decisions. The Act sets out that local government in Victoria: is a distinct and essential tier of government must provide governance and leadership for the local community through advocacy, decision making and action must be accountable to their local communities in the performance of functions and the exercise of powers and the use of resources. It is a statutory requirement that councils prepare and report on medium and plans in order to discharge their duties of accountability and transparency to their communities. About this guide This guide has been developed to assist local government in meeting the statutory requirements in regard to the preparation of a strategic resource plan. The guide is presented in five sections: Planning and accountability framework: provides an overview of the relationship between the key planning and reporting documents in the Act Strategic resource plan (overview): provides an overview of the statutory requirements and better practice guidance for preparing a strategic resource plan Strategic resource plan (guidance): provides detailed guidance on the preparation of the strategic resource plan, including the process for identifying, collecting, modelling and reporting forecast information Strategic resource plan (model): provides a model strategic resource plan prepared in accordance with the Act and regulations for inclusion in the council plan Strategic resource plan (alternative format): provides a model strategic resource plan prepared in line with better practice guidance. This guide is intended for use by specialists in the field of local government planning and reporting. It will also be instructive for senior officers including chief executive officers (CEOs) and councillors. Each council retains the responsibility for preparing their strategic resource plan, term