The local government elections in New South Wales are now over and the results have been declared. Congratulations to those who have been successfully elected as a local councillor or Mayor. Your campaign was likely fuelled by passion and a clear vision for your community's future and you are now eager to get down to business! For those who were not successful in this election, we see you too and recognise the immense effort you made during the campaign. Either way, its a perfect time to pause, reflect and refocus on what is ahead for your leadership.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, now is the perfect time to revisit and reaffirm your purpose as a leader of your local community. Reflect on the goals and promises you made during your campaign. If you were not elected, are there other ways you can take action to progress your vision for your community? If you were elected, how can you translate those into outcomes during your council term? Importantly, if you have been elected, take time to regroup on both your purpose and your ideas for change to make sure these are aligned with the local government framework.
We advocate that your purpose as an elected leader should align with the "why" of local government and the principles that guide local councils in NSW. (Hint! The answer is in the legislation, and a council's purpose is to create current strong, healthy and prosperous communities). Having a clear and well-defined purpose will guide your decision-making and help you stay focused and motivated throughout your term.
Along with your purpose, it is also vital that your ideas for change are captured within the strategic planning framework for your council. Take some time to to reflect on the areas you want to focus on during your term and work out how these fit into the integrated planning and reporting process and timeframes under the legislation. Consider how aligned your priorities are with your Council’s Community Strategic Plan and work on how you could integrate your ideas into this Plan, as well as the Delivery Program and Operational Plan. Ultimately, this is key to your success.
Relationships make the world go around - we are human after all! And no doubt, some relationships may have become a little strained over the campaign period. If you were not elected, we encourage you to reflect on how you can strengthen relationships that you may have made during the campaign. For newly elected councillors, building and nurturing relationships should be a priority from start. This includes connecting with fellow councillors as well as senior council staff.
Effective governance relies on healthy relationships, particularly within the governing body. Even though you may come from different political backgrounds or have different ideas for the future of your community, finding common ground from the get go is essential. This can be totally unrelated to council business! It might just be that you both enjoy the beach, going camping or indulging in great food. Intentionally create time to get to know each other on a human level and to repair any damage done over the campaign.
Council staff play a vital role in providing stability and continuity around election time. It can be easy to throw stones from outside the tent as a candidate, but once you're elected, your focus should be on fostering respectful relationships with council staff. Recognise the expertise and experience that council staff bring to the table. Show respect for their roles and understand the immense knowledge that they hold about prior council decisions and projects. And of course, follow the rules about who you can interact with!
Having a growth mindset means believing that your abilities aren't innate but can be improved through effort, learning, and persistence. It is about the attitude with which you face challenges, how you process failure, and how your learn from the experience. If you have not succeeded this time, what can you learn from the experience? What can you do differently next time? And if you were successful, how can you bring a growth mindset to the role so that you don't end up on top of "Mount Stupid" and are prepared for the steep learning curve ahead?
We like to say that there are no “L plates” for councillors. You’re in the driving seat from day one. That can be exhilarating for some and terrifying for others. Either way, recognising that you don’t know it all and being willing to listen and learn as you go is key to your success.
Challenges and setbacks are inevitable in elected life. Resilience will help you stay focused and motivated, while adaptability will enable you to respond effectively to changing circumstances. Celebrate small wins (such as your first Council meeting!) and learn from things that didn’t go to plan.
