Organisation & Objectives

Company Structure

LeadWest is a not for profit company, limited by guarantee and as such falls under the provisions of the Corporations Act. The Company has members and is governed by a Board of Directors.

Membership

The Constitution provides for two types of members: (1) the Councils of Melbourne’s West and (2) organisations which operate in the region. Individuals cannot be members. There is a process set down in the Constitution for approval of memberships by the Board.

Board of Directors

The Board is comprised of an Independent Chairperson, a Director appointed by each participating Council (currently 5) plus four elected Directors from Organisation Members.

Appointment of Council Directors

Participating Councils in Melbourne's West nominate one Director for a 2 year term.

Appointment of Elected Directors

There is provision for the appointment of four (4) Directors from Organisation Members to be undertaken at a Special General Meeting or at an Annual General Meeting called to fill vacancies caused by the end of a Director's term, retirmenet or to fill any unfilled vacancies not previously filled.

Role of the Interim Board

The Constitution provides for the following tasks which were undertaken by the Interim Board:

• Appointment of Independent Chairperson
• Establishment of membership fees
• Recruitment of members
• Manage the business of the company
• Appointment of an Auditor
• Appointment and election of the Board – this involved appointing a Nominations Committee and calling for nominations for the 4 positions drawn from organisational members.
• The calling a Special General Meeting to appoint the full Board within 6 months of its establishment.

All these undertakings were completed with a Special General Meeting held on 14th of November 2007 which saw the election and appointment of Directors from the five member Melbourne West Councils as well as the acceptance as Members and appointment of Directors from City West Water, Moonee Valley Racing Club, Nufarm Ltd and Victoria University.

Objectives of the Company

The objective of LeadWest Ltd is to foster and undertake actions that will support sustainable growth and regional development of Melbourne west.

Regard will be given to:

• Legislative requirements;
• Available resources;
• Existing initiatives and programmes;
• Economic, social and environmental values; and
• Respecting individual differences between communities.

Functions of the Company

The functions of the company are to build on the existing social, economic and environmental capacity of the Region and to plan and create a sustainable future for the wellbeing of the communities of the Region. This will be achieved through:

• Leadership: Providing leadership to the Council of Melbourne West through identifying issues and taking action in relation to those issues that are of key importance to the wellbeing of the region and its people.
• Planning: The development of a Regional Development Strategy Plan that sets out strategies, objectives and actions;
  • updated annually; and
  • reviewed at a frequency and in a manner as shall be determined by the Board.
• Co-ordination: Ensuring a co-ordinated and integrated approach to the development of the LeadWest Regional Strategic Plan that minimises duplication and overlap of initiatives and development programmes.
• Advocacy: On behalf of the Region to secure funding and influence planning and policy decisions to facilitate the activities of the Company.
• Promoting and Marketing: Stakeholders being well informed about regional issues and initiatives.
• Implementation: Ensuring Region plans and projects are implemented.
• Performance Measurement: Setting and monitoring of Regional performance indicators, targets and measures.
• Research: The promotion and commissioning of research into activities which underpin the objectives of the Company.
• Reporting: Ensuring the development, management and reporting to:
  • Members of the Company;
  • the Region and wider as appropriate.

All actions undertaken by LeadWest will be underpinned by the values and principles of:

• Sustainability – The Region’s community, economy, environment and Councils (Melbourene West)  are interdependent and outcomes will be designed to foster sustainable relationships.
• Community engagement – The Regional development (Melbourne West) and the community’s diversity of needs will be reflected through broad involvement in planning, delivering and evaluating outcomes.
• Integration – Integration across a range of programmes and initiatives including social, economic, business, community and environmental will ensure that full capacity and aspirations of the Region and its people drive LeadWest’s shared vision.
• Community well being and capability – outcomes will be sought that add to the overall wellbeing and capability of the Regional Community.
• Communication – Open communication underpins the Company as an imperative that will foster understanding, coordination, co-operation and alignment of purpose and outcomes.
• Leadership – LeadWest will provide leadership to the Region at both organisational and political levels to ensure that Regional development (Melbourne West)  outcomes are delivered.
• Efficiencies – LeadWest will ensure an efficient and effective approach to the utilisation of Regional funds through avoidance of overlaps and duplication between existing bodies.
• Building partnerships – A key driver of LeadWest is building relationships to enhance collaborative and coordinated Regional planning that encourages innovative and efficient use of resources.
• Advocacy – LeadWest will develop the capacity to deliver regional advocacy for Melbourne West and marketing in addition to providing leadership and fostering integration and co-ordination.