Boards and commissions

Inquiries

Lower Donnelly River – Shires of Nannup and Manjimup

In May 2019, the board resolved to conduct a formal inquiry into a proposal to amend the boundary between the Shire of Nannup and the Shire of Manjimup so that 33 dwellings currently located on the Lower Donnelly River in the Shire of Nannup would be transferred to the Shire of Manjimup.

The board conducted a public submission period from 29 June 2019 until 2 August 2019.

Outcome

The Minister endorsed the board’s recommendation to not accept the proposal submitted by the Lower Donnelly River Conservation Association (LDRCA) to amend the boundary between the Shire of Nannup and the Shire of Manjimup.

Lower Donnelly River Conservation Association proposal

Part of Ascot and part of Redcliffe (alternative inquiry)

District boundaries

Under Schedule 2.1 of the Act, proposals to change local government district boundaries can be submitted to the board by the minister, local governments or electors of an affected local government.

Where the board decides that a proposed district boundary change is not minor, it must conduct formal inquiries giving affected local governments and electors six weeks to make submissions.

The board must consider any submissions received a​nd take specific factors into consideration. When its assessment is complete, the board submits a report to the Minister for Local Government with a recommendation. This may recommend that the proposal be accepted or rejected. The minister may accept or reject the board’s recommendation but cannot change it.

Wards and representation

Under Schedule 2.2 of the Act, local governments with wards must conduct regular reviews of ward boundaries of representation in consultation with their communities.

The board considers the outcome of these reviews and ensures that the local governments have complied with the Act.

The board must recommend to the minister​ any proposal that, in its opinion, correctly takes account of the criteria in the documents below. The minister may accept or reject the board's recommendation but cannot change it.

Ministerial Statement of Expectation

In June 2021, the Minister for Local Government provided a Statement of Expectation to the Local Government Advisory Board.

This statement reflects the Public Sector Commissioner's governance and performance requirements for State Government boards.

Local Government Advisory Board Statement of Intent

In August 2021, the Local Government Advisory Board provided a Statement of Intent to the Minister for Local Government.

Annual report

Contact

Telephone 61 8 6552 7300
Email advisoryboard@dlgsc.wa.gov.au

WA Local Government Grants Commission

The WA Local Government Grants Commission (Grants Commission) is a statutory body established under the Local Government Grants Act 1978.

Its principal function is to make recommendations to the Minister for Local Government regarding the allocation of Commonwealth financial assistance grants to WA's 137 local governments. 

The commission consists of a chairperson, deputy chairperson and three local government elected members. The commission also includes four deputy members. It is supported by departmental officers.

WA Local Government Grants Commission (as at August 2023)

Chairperson, Cr Dan Bull - City of Baywater, Councillor
Nominated by Minister for Local Government
Term ends 31 August 2026

Deputy Chairperson, Mr Luke Stevens - DLGSC, Legal Counsel
Nominated by DLGSC Director General
Term ends 31 August 2024

Metropolitan Member, Mr Colin Cameron - City of Subiaco, Chief Executive Officer
Nominated by Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA)
Term ends 31 August 2024

Country Urban Member, Dr Wendy Giles - City of Bunbury, Councillor
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2026

Country Rural Member, Ms Melinda Prinsloo - Shire of Chittering, Chief Executive Officer
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2024

Deputy to the Deputy Chair, Vacant
Nominated by DLGSC Director General

Deputy Metropolitan Member, Cr David Goode - City of Gosnells, Councillor
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2024

Deputy Country Urban Member, Ms Virginia Miltrup - City of Karratha, Chief Executive Officer
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2026

Deputy Country Rural Member, Cr Christopher Mitchell - Shire of Broome, President
Nominated by WALGA
Term ends 31 August 2024

Ministerial Statement of Expectation

In June 2021, the Minister for Local Government provided a Statement of Expectation to the WA Local Government Grants Commission. 

The Statement reflects the Public Sector Commissioner's governance and performance requirements for State Government boards.

WA Local Government Grants Commission - Ministerial Statement of Expectation

WA Local Government Grants Commission Statement of Expectation

To the Minister for Local Government

Thank you for your Statement of Expectation, dated June 2021. On behalf of the WA Local Government Grants Commission, I am pleased to respond with this Statement of Intent, which outlines how the commission will implement your expectations.

I formally commit the commission to meeting your expectations and to ensuring that the Government's key requirements for the commission are realised. We will continue to work to ensure that the community's confidence in the commission is preserved and strengthened and that, in all our activities, we operate in a way that promotes collaboration and demonstrates accountability and transparency in support of the government's priorities. 

We wish to reaffirm all elements of the Statement of Expectations and include the following priorities:

Good governance

Commission members will undertake their duties with the required diligence, care and skill. The commission will adopt and follow best practice governance processes, ensuring all members are aware of, and comply with, governance principles and reporting arrangements as set out in the Local Government Grants Act 1978 (WA) and in the commission's governance documents, such as the Code of Conduct and the Commissioner's Charter.

Corporate governance documents will be reviewed on a regular basis. Appropriate training will be provided to commission members as required. The commission will continue to maintain the high level of corporate governance that is already in place, including a robust, transparent and accountable system of annual reporting to Parliament. 

Ethical behaviour and conflicts of interest

Commission members will act ethically and impartially at all times and will identify, declare and manage any real or perceived conflict of interest in the discharge of its functions. 

The commission will continue to develop processes and methodologies that ensure that the allocation and distribution of Commonwealth grants funding by the commission is evidence based, fair, objective and impartial.

Performance management 

As required, the commission will undertake performance reviews, to ensure that:

• the functions of the commission have been performed;
• individual members have effectively discharged their duties; and
• the current composition of the commission provides for an appropriate mix of skills, diversity and length of tenure across the individual members.

Appointments

Advice will be provided to you in a timely manner in relation to commission appointments. Consideration will also be given to the benefits of combining longer term, more experienced members, with newer members, who may provide a path to commission renewal. 

Government policies and objectives

In addition to statutory functions, the commission will take into account wider economic benefits to the state, impacts on other Government agencies and key Government policies as part of the planning and decision-making processes, as appropriate. 

The commission will also comply with relevant general policy requirements and will inform the Minister of any instances of non-compliance and the subsequent actions being taken to address the situation.

Financial management

The commission will endeavour to meet all required statutory financial management obligations. This will include ensuring that any actions taken in achieving the commission's objectives represent value for money. 

Communication

The commission will ensure that timely and accurate information is provided to you to allow you to effectively meet your Ministerial and Parliamentary obligations. 

The commission will also do the same for your advisers and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

Conclusion

Annual report