The ninth meeting of the Local Implementation Committee (LIC) Armadale/Murray was held at the Shire of Murray on 26 August 2014.
The Chairperson of the LIC, Mayor Henry Zelones advised that Tim Fowler from the Department of Local Government and Communities (DLGC) had given an outline of matters that may be included in a set of Governor’s Orders to the LIC Committee.
“The LIC noted that these are the ‘set of rules’ that will guide how the new local governments emerging from the reform process will be set up and operate.
“The LIC noted that the Governor’s Orders will be issued after the Minister’s announcement on reform, which is expected in September.
“It was also noted that the Local Government Advisory Board had announced that two new proposals were to be advertised for a 14 day period, but this would not delay the Board’s recommendation to the Minister on the areas unaffected by the new proposals. (Armadale, Murray and Serpentine Jarrahdale are not affected by the new proposals.)
“WALGA is continuing to advocate for additional funding from State Government to assist with the costs being incurred by local governments as part of the reform process. There is some discussion about making loan funding available earlier than originally intended i.e. in this financial year, rather than after 1 July 2015.
“The first WALGA facilitated network meeting of local government project officers is being arranged for September.
“The LIC acknowledged the large volume of work underway through the Working Groups and noted that, even though the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale was not at the table, considerable progress was being made in anticipation of the Governor’s Orders.
“The LIC particularly noted the work being done in establishing principles and processes for the eventual transition of staff and services after the Government’s decision”, said Mayor Zelones.
The next meeting of LIC will be on Tuesday 23 September 2014 at the City of Armadale.
