About the Network

The Local Government Network Business Excellence Network was formed in 2003 by a group of Victorian Councils undertaking Business Excellence journeys. The Network has since expanded to include Councils from New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania . The original aim of the Network was to learn from each other and others outside the Network about implementing Excellence in Local Government.

Vision

Our Network is a place where we are inspired and supported to successfully lead Business Excellence in our Councils

Purpose of the Network

To learn from and support each other in achieving Business Excellence
To champion Business Excellence in Local Government

Member Roles and Responsibilities

The Network operates at two levels - CEO and Business Excellence Practitioners.

As a CEO member, you are required to:
• Attend and participate in 3 joint CEO/BE Practitioner Meeting per Year (April, August, December)
• Support and resource your BE Practitioner to participate in the Network

As a BE Practitioner member, you are required to:
• Attend and participate in 3 joint CEO/BE Practitioner meetings per year
• Attend and participate in 7 BE Practitioner Meetings (February, April, June, August, October, November, December)
• Participate in Group Projects
• Take a turn in chairing and recording minutes (duties are documented in the meeting process flow chart)

The Network has an induction process in place for new member Councils that includes a “Buddy” component—that is, a member Council that will assist you to integrate into the Network.

Cost of Membership

• Each member Council makes a financial contribution to the cost of running the network (between $1000 and $1500 per annum). Network expenses are distributed evenly across all members.
• Members will need to be actively pursuing the Business Excellence Framework in their Council

Network Code of Cooperation

• We start on time and finish on time
• We all participate and contribute - everyone is given opportunity to voice their opinions
• We use improvement tools that enhance meeting efficiency and effectiveness
• We actively listen to what others have to say, seeking first to understand, then to be understood
• We follow-up on the actions we are assigned responsibility for and complete them on time
• We give and receive open and honest feedback in a constructive manner
• We use data to make decisions (whenever possible)
• We strive to continually improve our meeting process and build time into each agenda for reflection

Next Steps

If you are currently using the Business Excellence Framework, and are interested in joining the network, then the first step is to contact the Network Chair Council which is currently City of Marion in SA via email at peter.bice@marion.sa.gov.au.