Professional Development Modules

The VLGA’s Councillor Professional Development Program has been developed around the following themes outlined in the reforms introduced by the Victorian Government in October 2024.

Each of these modules must be completed by councillors annually. They reflect a progressive approach to building the knowledge and skills to perform the role of a councillor over the course of the four-year term. 

Our Faculty of Facilitators (a team of highly skilled and experienced local government professionals) will work with you to customise a program that responds directly to the unique professional development needs of your council, delivered in a way which suits you.

These modules can be delivered virtually or in person over two hours.

No matter your preferred method of delivery, the VLGA Councillor Professional Development Program will increase councillor confidence and competence in their role, help identify knowledge gaps, and tailor learning opportunities and experiences to the direct learning needs of councillors. The VLGA is currently the only peak body offering a complete program of CPD modules that align directly with the Victorian Government mandatory requirements.

Prices start at $2500 per module for online delivery or $4750 for face to face sessions for VLGA member councils. To build your council's program, view our program prospectus or contact our Learning and Development Team at training@vlga.org.au to discuss your councillors' needs. 

Bespoke Program Modules

Renewing councillor group commitment to work as a team

This module helps build a positive working dynamic between councillors. As part of this session, councillors will renew their commitment to work together as a team, reviewing their past performance and looking at where improved interactions are needed.

Effectively participating in Council Meetings 

This session will give councillors an understanding of meeting procedures and governance rules, including how to read and understand agendas and other briefing papers. 

Councillors will also gain an understanding of how to engage in effective and respectful debate, negotiation practices and the gain the skills needed to effectively chair Council Meetings.

CEO recruitment and performance management 

This module will look at the councillor and CEO relationship. It will take councillors through effective performance management in line with organisational performance and accountability, as well as the importance of the CEO Employment and Remuneration Policy.

Financial and Risk Management 

This module will focus on effective financial and risk management and will build on the information, knowledge and skills relating to financial and risk management addressed during induction. In addition, councillors will gain knowledge and skills relating to financial and risk management such as asset management. 

Effective Strategic Planning 

This module will build on the information, knowledge and skills relating to strategic planning addressed during induction. Councillors will also gain knowledge and skills relating to strategic planning such as:

• Setting and measuring outcomes
• Service planning, innovation and continuous improvement
• Collaborating with other agencies such as other councils, governments and statutory bodies and regional, state and national plans and policies
• Municipal public health and wellbeing plans

Key integrity and accountability requirements  

Building on the information knowledge and skills relating to integrity and accountability addressed during the councillor induction program, this session will look at councillor conduct and what happens when things go wrong. It will include:

• Personal Interests
• Conflict of Interest
• Managing Confidential Information
• Managing Council Information
• Expenses, gifts and donations
• Any council policies that support good governance
• Reporting breaches of integrity and accountability requirements
• The roles of other integrity and accountability bodies and agencies

Effective Communication 

This session will look at how councillors engage with the media, including council’s media and social media policies.  It will include appropriate use of social media, as well as skills and knowledge in effective public speaking, influencing and negotiation. 

Creating and Maintaining a Safe Workplace 

This module will take councillors through the fundamentals of occupational health and safety and psychosocial hazards. It will look at ways to prevent and address sexual harassment, including the importance of diversity and Inclusion. Participants will be taken through ways to appropriately manage conflict and disputes, including processes under the councillor conduct framework.

Introduction to Other Legislative Responsibilities 

This module will give councillors an overview of their obligations under the bodies legislation which impact local government. 

Representing the diversity, interests and needs of the community

This session will look at the diversity of the community councillors serve, and council’s obligations when it comes to key issues effecting the community. 

Councillors will also gain an understanding of meaningful community engagement and its importance in the decision making process. 

It will include:

• Community engagement and deliberative engagement 
• Gender equality responsibilities including intersectional gender equity, Gender Impact Assessments, inclusive behaviour, sexual harassment and the role of bystanders and allies
• Cultural and linguistic diversity and inclusiveness 
• Unconscious bias
• Engagement and reconciliation with the traditional owners of the land 
• Effective leadership and advocacy
• Respectful interactions and dealing with difficult behaviours
• Engaging appropriate and effectively with diverse, marginalised and/or disadvantaged communities

Victorian Planning System

This module will take councillors through the fundamentals of the Victorian planning system, including: 

• The planning scheme and amendments
• Planning Permits
• Reviews and the role of VCAT
• The role of the planning minister and other bodies such as Planning Panels Victoria

Statutory Planning

This session will look at the role of council’s Planning Scheme and its impacts. It will take councillors through powers of delegation and the processes to trigger the determination of applications by council.

Councillors will also gain an understanding of policies and processes related to interactions with developers, planning applicants and their representatives and objectors.

Preventing Fraud and Corruption  

This module will focus on Victoria’s fraud and corruption framework and the policies and processes to prevent fraud and corruption.

Councillors will gain an understanding of how to identify and report fraud and corruption, including high-risk activities such as lobbying. 

 

Please contact the VLGA on (03) 9349 7999 or training@vlga.org.au to discuss your council's requirements.

Content and delivery methods may be customised to meet the needs of your council, but could include workshops, seminars, online modules and immersive events.