Council Conversations, March 2023

03/19/23 • 39 min

On the first edition of Council Conversations from the Local Government News Roundup, Chris Eddy is joined by:

Cr Leticia Laing of Bass Coast Shire - branded the "expensive councillor" for claiming childcare expenses, and joining the call for childcare expenses to be removed from Council reporting requirements;
Sophie Price, the Mayor of Indigo Shire in northeast Victoria, discussing an epic new project for the shire, plus her reaction to the Commission of Inquiry report that led to the dismissal of Moira Shire Council; and why she has stopped claiming her councillor expense entitlements; and
Kirsten Ellis from Planned Resources about the results of a new survey that quantifies the extent of the problem with municipal building surveyors in Victoria. The competition between Councils for qualified MBS’s has been described as a war on talent.

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Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

On the first edition of Council Conversations from the Local Government News Roundup, Chris Eddy is joined by:

Cr Leticia Laing of Bass Coast Shire - branded the "expensive councillor" for claiming childcare expenses, and joining the call for childcare expenses to be removed from Council reporting requirements;
Sophie Price, the Mayor of Indigo Shire in northeast Victoria, discussing an epic new project for the shire, plus her reaction to the Commission of Inquiry report that led to the dismissal of Moira Shire Council; and why she has stopped claiming her councillor expense entitlements; and
Kirsten Ellis from Planned Resources about the results of a new survey that quantifies the extent of the problem with municipal building surveyors in Victoria. The competition between Councils for qualified MBS’s has been described as a war on talent.

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On the Local Government News Roundup today, a call for a new standalone shire in northern Victorian gathers momentum; the KnowYourCouncil website is gone, and some people aren’t happy about it; the growing shortage of municipal building surveyors confirmed by new survey data; it’s big week for Council CEO news - I’ll have the details; a call to relieve Queensland Councils from being “judge and jury”over their peers; plus - councillors call for an end to the requirement to report councillor childcare expenses.

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.

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🔒 "While civility is encouraged, it cannot be required"

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On the Local Government News Roundup today, Moira Shire’s new administrator starts work; a cyber security incident at a southwest Victorian council; big plans announced for the South Melbourne Town Hall; the MAV’s CEO moves on; a tragic incident claims the life of a council worker in Queensland; a US Court rules to protect the right to be rude in public meetings; and Indigo Shire Mayor Sophie Price on an Australian first in Victoria’s northeast.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.