Strengthening Community Leadership in Brimbank Action Plan 2014-2017 1
Council s Vision, Statement of Strategic Intent, Mission and Values The City of Brimbank is located in the western and north-western suburbs of Melbourne, between 11 and 23 kilometres west and north-west of the Melbourne GPO. Council s core business is formed by: Vision Brimbank will be the dynamic centre of Melbourne s West. We will be a proud, diverse and connected community. Statement of Strategic Intent Develop Brimbank through enhancing and celebrating the many diverse identities, communities and cultures within Brimbank; creating high quality spaces and places; and providing learning and employment opportunities. Mission The City of Brimbank will achieve the community s vision by: Meeting the needs of our community and those of future generations in a collaborative and financially responsible manner. Enhancing community wellbeing within a strong foundation of social justice. Creating an urban environment that is safe, attractive, vibrant and liveable. Demonstrating commitment to environmental protection, sustainable development, and reducing our ecological footprint. Promoting Brimbank as the first choice for new industry, business and development; and Delivering best practice services that meets the needs of the diverse and growing Brimbank community. Values For Brimbank City Council employees and the Council, to be the best at what they do and achieve the community vision and Council strategic intent and mission, their actions and decisions are guided by a set of five fundamental and unifying values: We show RESPECT We act with INTEGRITY We work TOGETHER We COMMUNICATE openly We strive for EXCELLENCE 2
What is Council s role in Strengthening Community Leadership in Brimbank Brimbank City Council is committed to ensuring good governance and meeting obligations under the requirements of the Local Government Act (1989). Governance (at its core), is about the decision making processes. Good governance ensures that these processes are clear, transparent and engage relevant stakeholders. Local Government has a special obligation to ensure good governance. It is the level of democratic government and public administration closest to the people. It has a focus on locality, population groups and issues that requires a joined up approach to the way it plans and governs. The Local Government Act (1989) requires each Council and its administration to provide leadership, foster community participation, advocate on behalf of the community and improve the quality of life for its citizens. Council plans must integrate its various responses to community needs, its allocation of resources and the measures by which it will be held accountable. As highlighted in the Brimbank City Council Plan (2013-2017), Council is committed to developing leadership in the community (page 11) and keeping the community informed and involved (page 12). This includes working in close collaboration with the community, drawing on a wide cross-section of contributors, including 'hard to reach' groups, through a variety of forums and partnerships to better engage, develop, represent, and communicate with the diverse community. Purpose of the Strengthening Community Leadership in Brimbank Action Plan 2014-2017 The Strengthening Community Leadership in Brimbank Action Plan 2014-2017 will deliver Council capacity building programs to the community, with the purpose of providing leadership, fostering community participation, with the vision to improve the quality of life for its citizens. The Action Plan also supports the vision and the guiding principles of the Brimbank Community Learning Strategy 2014-2017 of fostering a community of lifelong learners by working with partner organisations to empower people to take control of their lives, build aspirations, enhance employability and build active citizenship and quality of life in Brimbank. Council s role is to develop: Partnerships develop partnerships to deliver capacity building initiatives. Training - deliver training opportunities to assist in strengthening community members skills. Opportunities respond to new and existing community members, groups and organisations needs around self-determination, advocacy, community governance and active participation in community life. To achieve this Council will provide capacity building opportunities via the following programs: Community Leadership Program. Community Organisations Training and Governance Program. Brimbank Leadership Alumni (BLA) Program. Community Resource Member (CRM) Program Safety Working Group Member (SWG) Program 3
Brimbank Community Leadership Program Module 1 Leadership in our Community Module 2 Your Community Your Council Volunteering Accessing volunteering opporunities in Council Community resource member Participating in local area decision making Module 3 Planning and Running Projects and Events Module 4 Communication Skills Module 5 Working with Groups Module 6 Working with the Media and Promotion Opportunites following the Completion of the Brimbank Community Leadership Program Alumni Ongoing networking and development opportunities District Safety Working Group Contributing to local safety Further training E.G - Governance training Module 7 Group Presentations, Guest Speakers and Summary Annual Brimbank Community Leadership and Governance Recognition Event Other Involvement in local activities and projects outside Council 4
Strengthening Community Leadership in Brimbank Action Plan 2014 2017 Brimbank Community Leadership Program: The Brimbank Community Leadership Program (the Program) aims to provide an opportunity for eligible community members in Brimbank to build and strengthen their capacity in community leadership and participation. This community capacity building program aims to support the contribution of individuals towards Brimbank as a diverse, active and well supported and connected community with high participation in local and municipal community life. Coordinate the annual delivery of three (3) to five (5) (minimum of three) place based Leadership Programs across Brimbank Deliver 3 place based Leadership Programs per annum Evaluate the delivered place based programs and make changes as appropriate Review the Leadership Evaluation Report and recommend changes as appropriate 3 place based Leadership program evaluations and 1 overall evaluation report Changes documented and implemented Coordinate the annual Community Leadership and Governance Recognition Event Deliver the annual event 5
Building Capacity for Governance in the Brimbank Community Program: The Building Capacity for Governance in the Brimbank Community Program aims to increase the capacity of the not for profit sector in Brimbank in a sustainable manner by recognising and building on its strengths. Coordinate the annual delivery of the Building Capacity for Governance in the Brimbank Community Program Deliver seven (7) sessions in the Building Capacity for Governance in the Brimbank Community Program Evaluate the programs and make changes as appropriate Review the Evaluation Report and recommend changes as appropriate Evaluation forms completed and 1 overall evaluation report Changes documented and implemented Continue ongoing support and provide access to information at community training sessions, through different mechanisms such as the Governance Manual Ongoing Support and information provided Coordinate the annual Community Leadership and Governance Recognition Event Deliver the annual event 6
Brimbank Leadership Alumni: The Brimbank Leadership Alumni aims to connect existing initiatives and programs that provide a clear framework and the necessary resources to continue building community networks, increase the capacity of community leaders and strengthen the relationship between Council and its diverse communities. Coordinate four (4) networking opportunities for Brimbank Leadership Alumni Quarterly Four (4) Networking Forums per annum Develop four (4) Brimbank Leadership Alumni newsletters Quarterly Four (4) newsletters developed and distributed Develop and implement a Mentoring program for the Brimbank Leadership Alumni Mentoring Program developed and implemented commencing July 2014 Investigate the development and implementation of an advanced Leadership Training program for the Brimbank Leadership Alumni 2014/2015 Advanced Leadership Training program developed and implemented in 2014/2015 Subject to Council s annual budget Investigate the introduction of a Scholarship Program for Brimbank Leadership Alumni members to participate in external Leadership Programs, such as the Folio Community Leadership Program run by Leadership Victoria 2014/2015 Investigation completed by December 2014 Subject to Council s annual budget 7
Community Resource Members (CRM): The CRM is a group of individuals from a local area (who have completed the Brimbank Community Leadership Program) interested in place based participation and engagement. CRM will be invited to be involved in different projects across Council. Recruit CRM through an Expression of Interest (EIO) process 2014 Recruit 55 CRM Train CRM in a place based approach and Promote CRM within Council to identify opportunities for CRM engagement and participation Training module developed and training conducted (minimum of three (3) yearly) Road show developed and delivered twice (2) per year Engage with CRM and support them with opportunities to participate in Council activities All CRM are provided with at least three opportunities to participate each year At least 50% of CRM actively participate in at least one Council activity 8
Safety Working Groups (SWG): The SWG will work with Council to identify opportunities to create a safer and more welcoming public environment within Brimbank. The SWG will be implementing Council s Community Safety Partnership Model in the local area. Recruit SWG members through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process Minimum of five (5) active members per working group (x 4 groups) Train SWG members in a place based approach Training module developed and training conducted Work with the SWG to identify opportunities to create a safer and more welcoming environment in Brimbank SWG are involved in at least three safety related activities annually Within Council Budget Conduct SWG quarterly meetings Quarterly Quarterly SWG meetings held Within Council Budget Organisation Brimbank City Council P.O. Box 70 Sunshine VIC 3020 Title Manager Development Community Wellbeing Directorate Phone 9249 4000 Email info@brimbank.vic.gov.au 9