Here is your chance to hear about the fundamentals, the do’s and don’ts, and what skills and knowledge would help in becoming a councillor or mayor for Ipswich.
Ipswich City Council will be holding two Candidate Information Sessions to assist those Ipswich residents who are considering nominating to become an elected representative (councillor or mayor) for council in the 28 March 2020 local government elections.
The first event will be held at North Ipswich Reserve Corporate Centre on Tuesday 26 November, 5.45pm for 6pm. The second will be at the same North Ipswich venue on Tuesday 4 February, 2020.
The purpose of these sessions is to provide an opportunity for candidates (confirmed and potential) and interested residents to learn more about the role of a councillor and council’s operations.
There will be a panel on the night, consisting of Interim Administrator Greg Chemello, council’s Chief Executive Officer David Farmer, and representatives from the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) and the Department Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs (DLGRMA).
Mr Chemello, who recently launched his 50-page Election 101 document Ipswich, it’s your council: A Candidate Guide for Ipswich City Council, said candidates will be encouraged to ask questions of the panel, as will those listening and watching on Facebook live.
“Like the Candidate Guide, the Candidate Information Sessions are intended to help potential candidates better understand the city of Ipswich and Ipswich City Council, the role and purpose of local government, what is expected of a councillor and mayor, what support your council’s management team and staff will provide to enable and empower incoming councillors to succeed for the Ipswich communities,” he said.
“For potential candidates, it is a starting point to help you decide whether or not the position of local councillor or mayor is for you. It you have already decided to nominate, hopefully the guide and information sessions will be useful to ensure that you’re as prepared as possible throughout the forthcoming campaign.”
Mr Chemello said the sessions will cover key aspects of the guide, such as the five fundamentals of being a councillor (effective leadership, open and effective decision-making, conduct, accountability, and learning), what skills and knowledge would help, responsibilities and obligations, what good governance means, and most importantly councillor do’s and don’ts.
“That list (of 34 items) has been created as a useful guide, with the principles of good governance and relevant legislation and council policies in mind,” he said.
Tuesday’s first information session is free to attend and you don’t have to register, but potential candidates are encouraged to advise council if they are attending.
The MC will be River 949’s Greg Wood.
In addition to the council-hosted sessions, the Queensland Times will be holding forums for each of the four divisions, plus a mayoral forum, in Ipswich Central and Springfield. The dates have yet to be confirmed but expect to kick-off in mid-February.
USQ’s Professor Marie Kavanagh, head of the School of Commerce at the Springfield Campus and a member of council’s community reference group Transparent Governance, said the guide and sessions would be extremely beneficial for prospective candidates and provide a “clear guide as to what to expect and do as they prepare to run for council”.
Prof Kavanagh, who had considered standing for council but delayed any commitment due to a family illness, said “candidates should certainly be going into their campaigns with a greater understanding of the expectations of the role and of themselves” after reading the guide and attending the sessions.
“Prospective councillors need to be mindful of the need for balance, not only in their personal lives, but in terms of their obligations to the city as a whole and the constituents of the division they represent,” she said.
Read More
>>>Guide details what mayor and councillors should do for community
