4. PRINCIPLES OF STATE–LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING AGREEMENTS The following principles should form the for agreement arrangements. Operational arrangements are discussed in the next section. The following principles should apply: · Agreements should be constructed to maximise the coverage of related policy areas rather than establishing multiple separate agreements. · Administrative and accountability arrangements should be simplified and standardised wherever possible. · Agreement details, such as funding levels, schedules and timetables for renegotiation of agreements, should be well in advance. · responsibilities are shared, agreements should reflect a spirit of cooperation between governments, defining broad principles, objectives and performance measures. · Where local government is accountable for results, these should be defined in terms of achieving broad outcomes or delivering outputs. · Criteria for the allocation of resources should be clearly defined within each agreement. · Agreements should be avoided where there is potential to increase unnecessary and costly duplication of functions between different levels of government. · Agreements should be written in plain English rather than as legally binding documents including any provision for sanctions that may be included. – GUIDELINES NEGOTIATING FOR STATE–LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING AGREEMENTS 5
4. PRINCIPLES OF STATE–LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING AGREEMENTS The following principles should form the for agreement arrangements. Operational arrangements are discussed in the next section. The following principles should apply: · · · · · · · · Agreements should be constructed to maximise the coverage of related policy areas rather than establishing multiple separate agreements. Administrative and accountability arrangements should be simplified and standardised wherever possible. Agreement details, such as funding levels, schedules and timetables for renegotiation of agreements, should be well in advance. responsibilities are shared, agreements should reflect a spirit of cooperation between governments, defining broad principles, objectives and performance measures. Where local government is accountable for results, these should be defined in terms of achieving broad outcomes or delivering outputs. Criteria for the allocation of resources should be clearly defined within each agreement. Agreements should be avoided where there is potential to increase unnecessary and costly duplication of functions between different levels of government. Agreements should be written in plain English rather than as legally binding documents – including any provision for sanctions that may be included. NEGOTIATING GUIDELINES FOR STATE–LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING AGREEMENTS 5
Victorian-state-and-local-government-agreement-negotiating-guidelines.docx