Municipal stakeholder groups sign Memorandum of Understanding on Training

The official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on municipal training and development took place today at the 49th annual convention of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities.

The MOU establishes a formal training partnership among the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs the federation, the Association of Municipal Administrators and the Combined Councils of Labrador. It recognizes the commitment of the partners to cost-effective, timely and relevant training for local government representatives including mayors, councillors and administrators.

Participating in the proclamation signing were Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs; President Sam Synard of the federation; President Michael Pinsent of the Association of Municipal Administrators; and Graham Letto President of the Combined Councils of Labrador.

To mark the signing, Minister Matthews announced that his department would make a one-time $50,000 financial commitment to the partnership to be used for training and development. Mr. Matthews described the signing as both an historic and significant occasion.

"This signing signifies a commitment to partnerships - one that encompasses consultation and information sharing in the important area of municipal training. It is just not possible to over emphasize the importance of training. This partnership will enable us to provide councils, particularly newly elected members, with a comprehensive and up-to-date grounding in the fundamentals of local government," Minister Matthews said.

Federation President Synard said the MOU demonstrates a solid commitment on the part of the stakeholder groups to ensure excellence in training techniques. "The federation is extremely excited about this partnership and we are confident that the MOU will move the training process forward much faster."

Mike Pinsent, President of the Association of Municipal Administrators, said the MOU represents a consolidated and effective approach to training and education for all municipal elected officials. "The association is most pleased that we now have a formal working relationship among the groups. It recognizes the commitment of the partners to the principle of cost-effective, timely and relevant training for all councils and their administrative staffs."

Graham Letto, President of the Combined Councils of Labrador, agrees with his partners. "The signing of the MOU gives recognition to the willingness of all partners to continue our collective approach to maximize municipal training, education and development opportunities."

WHEREAS there is a recognized need for municipal training and development; and

WHEREAS effective delivery of such training and development to municipal elected and appointed
officials requires the cooperation of all stakeholders; and

WHEREAS past experience of informal cooperation has been effective; and

WHEREAS the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation
of Municipalities, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators and the
Combined Councils of Labrador are individually committed to the principle of cost-effective, timely
and relevant training and development for municipal elected and appointed officials;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs,
the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association
of Municipal Administrators and the Combined Councils of Labrador enter into this
Memorandum of Understanding for the creation of the Municipal Training and Development Partnership.

DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL AND PROVINCIAL AFFAIRS.
The mandate of the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs is to bring about a system of
local government that efficiently provides needed services throughout the province, at a cost that is
affordable to local taxpayers and without contributing unduly to demands for provincial government
expenditures.

Vision statement: It is the vision of the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs that the
people of Newfoundland and Labrador enjoy healthy, safe and sustainable communities supported by
strong local governments.

Mission statement: The mission of the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs is to be progressive, adaptable and professional in working with the people of our province to develop strong, self-reliant local governments capable of leadership and serving the best interests of their communities.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR FEDERATION OF MUNICIPALITIES.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities (NLFM) is the acknowledged spokesperson
for municipal government in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Formed in 1951 as an umbrella
organization mandated to represent municipal government interests and as a vehicle for municipal leaders to share information and resources, NLFM represents the interests of all municipal governments in the province. The work of the Federation is guided by a Vision Statement and a Statement of General Purpose:

Vision statement: The purpose of the NLFM is to assist communities in their endeavour to achieve and
sustain strong and effective local government, thereby improving the quality of life for all the people of this province.

General statement of purpose: To provide programs and services of common interest to the members; to
provide a united approach on issues affecting local governance; to advance the ambitions and goals of its member communities by developing a shared common vision of the future; to effectively serve as local government spokesperson and to represent its members in matters affecting them or the welfare of their communities; and to further the establishment of responsible government at the local level.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATORS.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators (NLAMA) is dedicated to
preserving and advancing excellence in municipal administration in Newfoundland and Labrador. The
association acts as the acknowledged advisory to the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of
Municipalities and to the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs on all matters affecting
municipalities.

The Vision of NLAMA is that Municipal Administrators are recognized as qualified professionals who
facilitate the delivery of accountable local government services.

The Mission of NLAMA is to enhance and promote professional management and leadership
excellence in local government through education, the exchanging of ideas and information, leading to the recognition of NLAMA as an authority on municipal government.

COMBINED COUNCILS OF LABRADOR.
The Combined Councils of Labrador represents the municipal Government of the towns throughout Labrador. The organization was formed in 1972 and in the years since has worked with the social and economic issues of Labrador. Labrador is unique and this organization has a great understanding of Labrador's diversity, including its geography and cultures.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to give effect to the vision of the partners for
municipal training and development:

Our Vision for the future of municipal training and development is strong, effective and self-sustaining
municipal government provided by knowledgeable competent elected officials and qualified professional staff through a partnership process between the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators, and the Combined Councils of Labrador.

Municipal Training and Development refers to activities that promote the knowledge and skill development of municipal elected and appointed officials by providing learning experiences directly relevant to the municipal context. Learning experiences can include, but are not limited to:

MANDATE
The mandate of the Municipal Training and Development Partnership is to:

REPRESENTATION
The Partnership Management Committee shall be limited to eight members and shall consist of
the Executive Directors of the NLFM, NLAMA and CCL, the Manager of Municipal Training for the
Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, and one additional representative of each Partner who
shall be eligible to serve for a maximum of three years.

The Chair and Vice-chair of the Partnership Management Committee shall be selected from among the
members of the Committee by the members of the Committee at the first meeting following its
establishment and annually thereafter.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The following financial resources shall be available to the Partnership Management Committee:

A. The value of the former Operating Grant provided by the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
to the NLFM valued as follows:

In 1999: $23,000
In 2000: $36,000
In 2001 and all subsequent years: $49,000

B. That portion of the Municipal and Provincial Affairs training budget relating directly to municipal training
value to be negotiated within three months of the signing of this Memorandum.

C. Any additional resources obtained by the Partnership Management Committee or any of the Partners
for the specific use of the Partnership.

ACCOUNTABILITY
The Partnership Management Committee shall annually develop an Annual Operational Plan.

The Partnership Management Committee shall also provide a detailed Annual Report of its operations
including a Statement of Revenue and Expenditures to each Partner by 30 September in each year.

DURATION
This Memorandum of Understanding shall remain in effect for a period of five years from the date of signing, contingent upon mutual agreement of the four parties.

This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended and/or extended beyond five years by mutual
agreement.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
The Partners, individually and collectively through the Partnership, are committed to the principle that
cost-effective, timely and relevant training for municipal elected and appointed officials is a cooperative effort, and will endeavour to secure and/or allocate additional human and/or financial resources from time to time as deemed relevant and appropriate to achieve the specific mandate for training and development as set out in this Memorandum.

LEGAL STATUS
The Memorandum of Understanding has no legal status; it is a declaration of good intention by the
signatories.