Advisory groups are an important part of Council’s local democracy. Advisory groups comprise interested or expert citizens who meet regularly to deliberate on information and provide ongoing advice to Council. The groups contribute to strategies, policies, programs and actions that help to achieve the aspirations of the community as outlined in Our Inner West 2036 Community Strategic Plan and Council’s Delivery Program.
Community feedback is invited on a proposed new advisory group structure for the Inner West.
Background
When Inner West Council was formed in May 2016, the existing advisory committees of the former councils were dissolved. The Administrator setContinue reading
Advisory groups are an important part of Council’s local democracy. Advisory groups comprise interested or expert citizens who meet regularly to deliberate on information and provide ongoing advice to Council. The groups contribute to strategies, policies, programs and actions that help to achieve the aspirations of the community as outlined in Our Inner West 2036 Community Strategic Plan and Council’s Delivery Program.
Community feedback is invited on a proposed new advisory group structure for the Inner West.
Background
When Inner West Council was formed in May 2016, the existing advisory committees of the former councils were dissolved. The Administrator set up eight interim Strategic Reference Groups (SRGs) to provide advice and input into the development of the Community Strategic Plan (which was adopted in June 2018). The SRGs were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; Economic Development; Environment; Housing and Affordability; Planning and Heritage; Social Inclusion; Transport; and Young Leaders.
Following the return of the elected Council, the SRGs were reviewed and Council at its meeting on 22 May 2018 (C0518 Item 16) proposed a new structure of advisory groups, to come into effect in the last quarter of 2018.
Proposed new advisory group structure
The structure proposed includes advisory committees, working groups and a business forum, which will meet three-six times per year.
Council has endorsed 11 advisory committees, five working groups and a quarterly business forum for community feedback. Internal engagement with staff has identified the potential for another advisory group focused on Arts and Culture. Including this new proposed group, the structure on which Council seeks community input is:
ADVISORY COMMITTEES
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee
- Access Advisory Committee
- Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
- Environment Advisory Committee
- Housing and Affordability Advisory Committee
- Multicultural Advisory Committee
- Planning and Heritage Advisory Committee
- Safety Advisory Committee
- Seniors Advisory Committee
- Social Strategy Advisory Committee
- Transport Advisory Committee
- Young Leaders Advisory Committee
WORKING GROUPS
- Bicycle Working Group
- Cooks River Working Group
- LGBTIQ+ Working Group
- Parramatta River Working Group
- Sydenham to Bankstown Working Group
BUSINESS FORUM
- Quarterly business forum of local Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations
Cost
The estimated cost of the above advisory group structure, mainly comprised of staff time to administer the groups, is $120,000 per annum.
Have your say
Complete a survey to tell us your thoughts on the new structure. The survey closes Sunday, 29 July 2018.
Next steps
Council will receive a report detailing community responses to this engagement at its meeting scheduled on 14 August 2018, and decide on the final advisory group structure.
A campaign to promote advisory groups to the community and recruit members for a two-year term, through an expression of interest process is expected to take place in September 2018.
The outcome of the engagement will be published in the news updates section of this project page, and everyone who makes a submission will be notified when the report is due to be considered by Council.
Got a question?
Ask us here and an Engagement team member will answer you publicly or directly.
