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 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 Affairs that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador enjoy healthy, safe and sustainable communities supported by strong local governments.

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.

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 Affairs on all matters affecting municipalities.

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.

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:

• workshops
• seminars
• courses
• conferences
• information sessions

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

• identify training needs of appointed and elected municipal officials
• establish training priorities
• prepare strategic municipal training plans
• ensure that appropriate courses and materials are developed
• research & develop training standards
• develop and recommend training programs as required
• research and develop alternate methods of delivery, as appropriate
• develop communication mechanisms to coordinate training with other groups (e.g. Emergency Measures Division and The Office of the Fire Commissioner)
• schedule and deliver training courses
• conduct course and overall program evaluations
• identify, access and manage appropriate resources, including those external to the partnership
• undertake any other relevant municipal training and development activity

The Partnership Management Committee shall be limited to eight (8) 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 (3) 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.

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

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

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

That portion of the Municipal and Provincial Affairs training budget relating directly to municipal training, value to be negotiated within three (3) months of the signing of this Memorandum.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Honourable Lloyd Matthews, Minister, Municipal and Provincial Affairs
Deputy Mayor Sam Synard, President, NLFM
Michael Pinsent, President, NLAMA
Councillor Graham Letto, President, CCL

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