Internationally, there are several countries that offer qualification for local government councillors. In particular, substantial qualifications were found in:
- Ireland.
- United Kingdom.
- United States.
- Australia.
The best aid to designing and evaluating Local Government Qualifications was found in Australia. This was the only qualification associated with unit standards and assessment criteria.
Africa:
In African countries, councillor development is facilitated in:
- Tanzania.
- Zambia.
- Malawi.
However, their programmes are more informal in nature and tend to be encompassed in other local government programmes.
Tanzania:
Tanzania has local structures starting from: Sub-Village Assembly, Village Government, Village Assembly, Ward Development Commitee, District Council, Regional Secretariat.
At present Tanzania is trying to come to terms with failures in its planning strategies and looks at programmes for councillors and ward committees. Unfortunately, no training materials could be found on a web search.
Zambia:
Zambia is still setting up suitable public participation processes. To date, the focus has been on social development of the urban poor. This was in realisation of the rising levels of poverty and economic reform policies of the 1990s that caused rising levels of unemployment and high cost of living. It has little to do with participative democracy and more with a ‘Food for Asset’, program aimed at turning poor communities of Zambia into viable producers of food for themselves and for sharing with the community. Thus, Zambian councillor activities and related programmes centre more on poverty alleviation programmes and there seems to be a lack of planning and municipal processes and structures as in the South African scenario.
Unfortunately, no training materials could be found on a web search.
Malawi:
Malawi instituted a Local Governance and Development Management Programme in 1997 to contribute towards the eradication of poverty in Malawi by improving governance through improved broader citizen participation in decision-making and, the enhanced performance of central and local government in district development.
The United Nations Development Program participated in capacity building for effective decentralized participatory development at district and community levels aimed at enhancing government and civil society capability to design, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate anti-poverty programmes. The specific capacity building strategies included undertaking civic education for local governance, human rights and sustainable livelihoods issues. On the web search, no training materials could be found.
Other countries:
Ireland:
Ireland is the country that does not have a specific qualification for councilors. However it does have a similar type of induction handbook as in South Africa. This handbook articulates to a generic management diploma and in relation to this, the following modules are offered:
- Managing the business.
- Managing resources and information.
- Managing people for personal effectiveness.
- Managing people – teams and individuals.
- Managing communication.
- Managing change.
This modular approach is based on the Competency Framework for Public Sector Managers, developed in conjunction with the Chief Executives’ Forum.
Supervisory, Administrative and Operational Staff Development:
Competency based programmes, which are accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management, are available to employees in supervisory, administrative/clerical and operational posts.
Women’s Development:
The Women’s Development Steering Group is promoting a major initiative which will run throughout 2006. It will be branded as “Women in Local Councils – Making a Difference”.
Elected Members’ Training and Development:
The Steering Group, comprising two representatives each from the National Association of Councillors, the NI Local Government Association and the Employers’ Side of the NJ Joint Council, issued a Councillor’s Handbook and a template for an Induction Programme following the local government elections in 2005.
- Mandate and vision statement.
- Outputs Roles and Activities.
- Strategic Priorities.
- Operational Structures.
- Short Courses, Conferences and Seminars.
Note: The Qualifications Authority review of the Ulster University Diploma mentioned above follows Training/Professional development programmes. Such courses are offered at various levels using a variety of non-traditional methods of delivery. They are specifically tailored to the needs of particular organisations and/or industry sectors.
The following are the generic objectives:
- The development of perspectives across business and management disciplines.
- The acquisition of management knowledge and skills, building upon students’ own experience.
- Examination of a variety of managerial issues.
- Further development of team working skills.
- The examples cited below include a sub-degree course.
- (Certificate in Management Practice) and a postgraduate course (MSc in Business Improvement).
- Certificate in Management Practice.
On successful completion of the programme, participants will:
- Have acquired an understanding of the functions and processes of management.
- Be able to define the environmental and organisational context within which management occurs.
- Be aware of the functional areas of management and appreciate their interaction.
- Have increased their self-awareness and better understanding of others.
As can be seen, the programmes are more generic in nature and very little of the curriculum is specifically geared towards councillors. It is implied that councillors in Ireland require primarily generic management competences in order to function as a councillor.
United Kingdom:
There are no formal qualifications for councillors. However there is a national framework contract in place for vendors of key training short courses. There is also a councillor mentoring programme in place.
The main body that works with councillors is the I and DeA (Improvement and Development Agency). This body works in partnership with all councils to enhance the performance of the best, accelerate the speed of improvement and develop the local government sector as a whole. From the 3rd April 2006, the I and DeA has been responsible for the following work:
- People Management (HR performance and capacity building).
- Dialogue (diversity and equality).
- Workforce development (recruitment and careers, National Graduate Development Programme and skills and development).
- Regional work to include the regional skills and capacity advisors.
- Local government pay and workforce strategy.
In essence, the programme objectives of the I and DeA are similar to that of South Africa in that their vision is to ‘ensure prosperous and cohesive communities, offering a safe, healthy and sustainable environment for all.’
The primary purpose of the national programmes is to develop affordable programmes that address council’s shared capacity building needs. The programme focuses on seven themes, ie. leadership, corporate capacity, workforce capacity and support for generic skills. Specific council capacity building includes:
- Facilitating council meetings.
- Working with regional LGA and Assemblies, central bodies, universities and the private sector (stakeholder consultation).
More specifically, a Councillor Mentoring programme is in place and it aims to provide an innovative way to establish support and build political leadership capacity within local authorities. It offers a range of peer mentoring activities that will continue to build capacity and support increased role effectiveness and performance of councillors at all levels.
United States:
There are no formal qualifications listed for Councillors in the United States although there are many short courses listed to address local government councillor capacity building programmes. The courses are listed as follows:
- Zoning.
- Special Use Permits – 1 Hour (gas stations, dog kennels, convenience stores, and fast food restaurants).
- Adopting and Amending Zoning – 1� – 2 Hours (the origins of zoning and the purposes for adopting regulations; the role of the municipal comprehensive plan.
- Community Design Tools – Taking Control of Your Community’s Character – 2 Hours – Municipal officials have a variety of tools available to them to help shape the appearance of their community. At this session you will hear about tools ranging from simple design guidelines to landscape ordinances to architectural review boards.
- Conservation Subdivision – 1.5 Hours (Even well-planned conventional subdivisions can lead to sprawl. This session will look at conservation subdivision, a form of cluster subdivision, which redistributes development on a site in manner that preserves important environmental, historical, and aesthetic features.
- Creating Affordable Housing in Your Community – 1.5 Hours.
- Creating Quality Communities: Tools and Strategies for Municipalities – 1.5 Hours.
- This course defines Smart Growth and illustrates its key principles within the context of New York’s Quality Communities Initiative.
- Enforcement of Zoning and other Local Laws – 1� – 2 Hours.
- Municipalities make all sorts of rules, including junk car laws, site plan review, subdivision regulations, and zoning. At this session we will discuss the role of the enforcement officer in enforcing these regulations, from receiving complaints to sentencing or fining of violators.
- How to Conduct Effective Meetings and Hearings – 1 – 2 Hours.
- Importance of Planning and Zoning Board Minutes – 1 Hour.
- Inter municipal Planning – 1 – 2 Hours.
- Local Planning and Zoning – Who does what to whom and when? – 2 Hours.
- Making a Good Record: Minutes, Findings, and Decision Documents – 2 Hours.
- Municipal Comprehensive Plan – 1 – 2 Hours.
- Municipal Regulation of Windmills – 1.5 – 2 Hours.
- Open Space Planning – 1.5 Hours (A discussion of the town’s options regarding the enhancement of its park and recreation system).
- Planned Unit Developments – 1 – 2 Hours.
- Planning and Zoning Case Law – 1 – 2 Hours.
- Planning Board Overview – 2 – 2� Hours.
- Planning for Pedestrians – A Healthy Step – 1 – 2 Hours.
- Records, Findings and Decisions – 1 – 1� Hours.
- Revising Zoning – 1� – 2 Hours.
- SEQRA – Introduction to the State Environmental Quality Review Act – 2� Hours.
- Site Plan Review and Special Use Permits- 1- 2 Hours.
- Subdivision Review – 2 Hours.
- Unravelling the Mystery of the Use Variance – 1 – 1� Hours.
- Zoning Board of Appeals Overview – 2 – 2� Hours.
Interestingly, Delaware has a Delaware Institute for Local Government Leaders. It’s last programme addressed contemporary issues facing local governments, including:
- Complying with Delaware’s New Municipal Election Law.
- USDA Rural Development Grant Opportunities for Municipalities.
- Defining an Economic Development Process for Your Downtown.
- The National Telecommunications Act: The National League of Cities’ Perspective.
- New Professional Group Addresses Municipal E-Government Best Practices.
- Healthy Communities: Promoting Walkability and an Active Lifestyle.
It would seem that the United States, whilst offering no formal qualifications for councillors does have a wide variety of short courses that address critical and contemporary local government issues from a councillor’s perspective.
Australia:
There is obviously a strong focus in local government programmes in Australia, including formal qualifications as listed below:
- LGA10104; Certificate I in Local Government.
- LGA10204; Certificate I in Local Government (Operational Works).
Certificate II:
- LGA20104; Certificate II in Local Government.
- LGA20204; Certificate II in Local Government (Operational Works).
Certificate III:
- LGA30104; Certificate III in Local Government.
- LGA30204; Certificate III in Local Government (Health and Environment).
- LGA30304; Certificate III in Local Government (Operational Works).
- LGA30404; Certificate III in Local Government (Regulatory Services).
Certificate IV:
- LGA40104; Certificate IV in Local Government.
- LGA40204; Certificate IV in Local Government Administration.
- LGA40304; Certificate IV in Local Government (Health and Environment).
- LGA40404; Certificate IV in Local Government (Operational Works).
- LGA40504; Certificate IV in Local Government (Regulatory Services).
- LGA40604; Certificate IV in Local Government (Land Management).
- LGA40704; Certificate IV in Local Government (Planning).
Diploma:
- LGA50104; Diploma of Local Government Administration.
- LGA50204; Diploma of Local Government (Health and Environment).
- LGA50304; Diploma of Local Government (Land Management).
- LGA50404; Diploma of Local Government (Operational Works).
- LGA50504; Diploma of Local Government (Planning).
- LGA50604; Diploma of Local Government (Regulatory Services).
Advanced Diploma:
- LGA60104; Advanced Diploma of Local Government (Operational Works).
More specifically, the unit standards are categorised according to:
- Common units.
- Administration units.
- Regulatory service units.
- Health and environment units.
- Land management units.
- Planning units.
- Operational work units.
- General elective units.
The unit standards titles are listed below (the levels are not indicated):
- LGACORE101B Access learning and career development opportunities.
- LGACORE102B Follow defined OHS policies and procedures.
- LGACORE103B Provide service to local government customers.
- LGACORE104B Work effectively in local government.
- LGACORE105B Work with others in local government.
- LGAGOVA303B Coordinate production of communication materials.
- LGACOMP007A Participate in policy development.
- LGACOMP008A Apply conflict resolution strategies.
- LGACOMP009A Implement effective communication techniques.
- LGACORE501B Provide quality and timely advice to council.
- LGACORE601B Develop, implement and review operational plans.
- LGACORE602B Promote and facilitate organisational performance.
- LGACORE603B Represent council’s role and value in the community.
- LGACOM403B Conduct public educational presentations.
- LGACOM404B Establish cooperative arrangements with other organisations.
- LGACOM405B Implement and monitor the organisation’s OHS policies, procedures and programs within the work group or section.
- LGACOM407B Manage finances within a budget.
- LGACOM501B Develop and organise public education programs.
- LGACOM502B Devise and conduct community consultations.
- LGACOM503B Prepare a budget.
- LGACOM602B Coordinate and facilitate a change process.
- LGACOM603B Develop, implement and review policies and procedures.
- LGAGOVA410B Monitor council procedures to ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
- LGACOMP024A Develop community relations.
- LGACOMP025A Manage a local government project.
- LGACOMP026A Provide team leadership.
Administration Units:
- LGACOM401A Administer contracts.
- LGACOM402A Arrange contracts.
- LGACOM409A Prepare tender documentation.
- LGACOM410A Prepare response to tenders.
- LGAGOVA401B Administer the electoral roll.
- LGAGOVA402A Allocate property address.
- LGAGOVA403A Arrange and supervise polling places.
- LGAGOVA404B Establish purchasing networks to ensure council is resource effective.
- LGAGOVA405A Implement debt recovery procedures.
- LGAGOVA407A Implement rehabilitation systems.
- LGAGOVA408B Implement systems to promote a safe and healthy environment for the public and employees.
- LGAGOVA409A Maintain property rates and records.
- LGAGOVA411A Prepare accounts for rates.
- LGAGOVA412A Prepare council for legal proceedings.
- LGAGOVA413B Promote and maintain positive employee relations.
- LGAGOVA505B Prepare rate notice forms.
- LGADMIN417A Conduct community consultations.
- LGAGOVA406A Implement marketing plan.
- LGADMIN419A Implement and facilitate community development strategies and programs.
- LGADMIN420A Contribute to policy development.
- LGADMIN421A Participate in negotiations.
- LGADMIN422A Develop and maintain supplier relationships.
- LGADMIN423A Provide induction and orientation for new employees.
- LGADMIN424A Provide staff development programs.
- LGADMIN425A Develop a communication plan.
- LGACOM601A Acquire and dispose of assets.
- LGAGOVA501B Contribute to advice to council on legislation.
- LGAGOVA502B Develop a marketing strategy.
- LGAGOVA503A Implement recruitment systems.
- LGAGOVA504A Prepare a council for elections.
- LGAGOVA506B Conduct council elections.
- LGAGOVA507A Provide advice to council on human resources policies and procedures.
- LGAGOVA508A Recommend rates and charges.
- LGAGOVA602B Manage the recording and updating of data on council’s assets.
- LGAGOVA603B Develop a risk management strategy for council assets.
- LGAGOVA605A Develop an asset management strategy for the council.
- LGAGOVA606B Develop and maintain a community cultural plan.
- LGAGOVA607A Develop, implement and monitor a programmed maintenance system of council’s assets.
- LGAGOVA608A Establish an annual budget that supports council’s management and operational plans.
- LGAGOVA609A Establish, maintain and evaluate the organisation’s OHS system.
- LGAGOVA610B Implement computerised asset management systems.
- LGAGOVA611B Implement disciplinary and termination procedures.
- LGAGOVA612B Implement employee performance management systems.
- LGAGOVA613B Measure cost of providing and maintaining council’s assets.
- LGAGOVA614B Monitor and maintain quality of asset management system.
- LGAGOVA615A Provide information on asset management programs and practices.
- LGAGOVA616A Provide property asset management services.
- LGAGOVA617A Report on assets in accordance with statutory and public reporting requirements.
- LGAGOVA618A Resolve valuation and property services disputes.
- LGADMIN525A Undertake business planning.
- LGADMIN526A Coordinate policy development.
- LGADMIN527A Manage policy development.
- LGADMIN528A Provide advocacy and representation.
- LGADMIN529A Manage finances.
Regulatory Services Units:
- LGAREGS301A Implement parking controls.
- LGAREGS302A Operate and maintain council parking facilities.
- LGAREGS303A Enforce legislation to achieve compliance.
- LGAREGS304A Apply regulatory powers.
- LGAREGS305A Undertake animal or reptile control duties.
- LGAREGS402A Provide evidence in court.
- LGAREGS403A Monitor public behaviour in council areas.
- LGAEHRR303B Monitor areas under council jurisdiction.
- LGAREGS404A Undertake appointed animal control duties and responsibilities.
- LGAEHRR304B Operate council pound facilities.
- LGACOM406A Investigate alleged breaches of legislation and prepare documentation.
- LGACOM408A Represent council at legal proceedings.
- LGACPRV501A Assess crime prevention needs within community groups or geographic areas.
- LGACPRV502A Design a crime prevention initiative.
- LGACPRV503A Manage and evaluate crime prevention initiatives.
- LGACPRV504A Build the capacity of individuals, organisations and communities to support crime prevention.
- LGACPRV505A Promote evidence-based approaches to support crime prevention initiatives.
- LGACPRV506A Support the mainstreaming of crime prevention principles and practices.
As can be seen, Australia has the most comparable qualifications to the South African and it offers full qualifications in local government and also has a unit standards based approach.
Conclusion:
The whole issue of local government decentralisation in development is a major focus of the United Nations since the 1990’s. The main problem identified by the United Nations is the lack of success stories around the world, mainly because of the absence of any real decentralisation and incentives for true public participation. Obviously the role of the Councillor in various countries is a part of their respective local government systems. However, the agenda of public participation is a critical issue in South Africa’s local government system and South Africa’s particular municipal processes, objectives and programmes vary from other countries due to the unique agenda for South Africa, eg. Batho Pele and Ubuntu philosophies. The whole role of councils is legislatively defined and these laws vary from country to country so therefore only generic comparisons are possible. Of all the countries researched, Australia is the one that offers standards and qualifications based programmes in local government and this ties in comparably with the career pathway outlined within local government in South Africa.
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