LOCAL GOVERNMEMT

DEFINTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

A local government is a form of public administration which, in a majority of contexts, exists as the lowest tier of administration within a given state. The term is used to contrast with offices at state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or (where appropriate) federal government and also to supranational government which deals with governing institutions between states. Local governments generally act within powers delegated to them by legislation or directives of the higher level of government. In federal states, local government generally comprises the third (or sometimes fourth) tier of government, whereas in unitary states, local government usually occupies the second or third tier of government, often with greater powers than higher-level administrative divisions.

The question of municipal autonomy is a key question of public administration and governance. The institutions of local government vary greatly between countries, and even where similar arrangements exist, the terminology often varies. Common names for local government entities include state, province, region, department, county, prefecture, district, city, township, town, borough, parish, municipality, shire, village, and local service district.

AIMS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

the five aims of government are to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense and promote the general welfare. There is actually a sixth function of government outlined by the Constitution that asserts the government will secure the blessings of liberty to its citizens and future generations.

One of the first functions of government is to form a more perfect union, meaning that the government will treat all states in the union fairly and work to keep the union together. Another function of the government is to establish justice by protecting those that follow the laws of the country and by punishing those that do not. The government also functions to ensure domestic tranquility. This function is meant to task the government with ensuring that its citizens can enjoy a calm, happy life "in a godlike and dignified manner." The fourth function of the government is to provide for the common defense, making sure that all life in the country is defended from warring nations or domestic threats. The government must also provide for the common welfare of the nation, ensuring that all citizens are given the opportunity to have productive lives with an acceptable standard of living. There is also a sixth function outlined in the preamble, where the government must defend the ideas of liberty for all who live in and will be born in the U.S. in future generations.

Department of Local Government

    Department of Administrative Services (II) - for functions relating to the acquisition, leasing, management and disposal of land and property; survey; transport and storage; accommodation; catering and protective services         

    Department of Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs - for local government and regional development services

    Department of Administrative Services (III) - Transport and storage, land and property services, purchasing and disposals, accommodation and catering, valuation and protective services and survey functions

The Department of Local Government and Administrative Services was an Australian government department

Information about the department's functions and/or government funding allocation could be found in the Administrative Arrangements Orders, the annual Portfolio Budget Statements and in the Department's annual reports.

According to the Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO), the Department dealt with

·        Matters relating to local government

• ·        Regional development
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• ·        Acquisition, leasing, management and disposal of land and property in Australia and overseas
• ·        Survey
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• ·        Government transport and storage
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• ·        Civil purchasing
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• ·        Disposal of goods
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• ·        Provision of accommodation and catering
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• ·        Protective services at Commonwealth establishments

The Department at times produced films, including in 1983–84 a film titled RSI: The New Industrial Epidemic

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Structure

The Department was an Australian Public Service department, staffed by officials who were responsible to the Minister for Local Government and Administrative Services.

Objectives

The Local Government Division was set up in January 2017 as part of the Local Government Reform. The divisional set-up incorporates an office of the Director General and two directorates: the Department for Local Government Monitoring and Support (formerly​ known as the Department for Local Government) and the Directorate for Local Government Strategy and Policy Implementation.

The Local Government Division, through the Office of the Director General and the two directorates has the following objectives:

Monitoring

To supervise the functions and operations of the local authorities (Regional Committees and Local Councils), in particular with respect to expenditure in order to ensure adherence to legislation.

Advisory role to the ministry

The Division has an advisoryrole to the Minister, the Parliamentary Secretary and the Permanent Secretary on all issues related to local government, including advice on legislation, policies and procedures.  The Division also gives advice on issues of an EU or international dimension, including the areas related to the Committee of the Regions (EU), the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (Council of Europe) and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF).

Guidance and Support

The Division, through its two directorates, provides guidance and support to local government, including through the issue of Directives and Circulars for the effective and efficient functioning and operations as well as to ensure uniformity of application and implementation of legislation and procedures.  Guidance and support is also given to local authorities with respect to EU Programmes, including the provision of information seminars and project application stage.

Coordination

The Division also ensures that there is co-ordination of all initiatives by other ministries and departments that directly or indirectly affect the functions and operations of local authorities.

Training and Personal Development

Through the Department for Local Government Monitoring & Support, local authorities’ political and executive officials are given training and information seminars on a regular basis. This includes training to Executive Secretaries and staff on new legislation and procedures.

Strategic Direction

The Division senior management participate in the Minister’s and Parliamentary Secretary’s Strategic Meetings and therefore actively contribute towards the formulation of new local government legislative proposals and policies.

Programme Implementation

The Division, through the Directorate for Local Government Strategy and Programme Implementation, implements initiatives and programmes that are devised by the ministry and/or the Parliamentary Secretariat, such as Grant Schemes.  The Directorate is also responsible for research and innovation and to assist in the decentralization processes