Martin Cuthbert MLGP
Chief Executive Officer
Shire of Jerramungup

Please outline your experience and involvement with LG Professionals WA and the WA Local Government Sector.
I have been fortunate enough to work in local government for 32 years, starting my career as a trainee at my local Council, the Shire of West Arthur. After completing my traineeship I worked in finance and administration roles at the Shire’s of Capel, Kojonup and Halls Creek, before returning to the Shire of West Arthur six years later as the DCEO. I have been DCEO/Director at the Shire’s of West Arthur, Cranbrook, Bridgetown-Greenbushes and Derby/West Kimberley for 18 years, before finally taking the step to CEO at the Shire of Jerramungup in 2018.
I first joined LGPro when it was still known as IMM and have held Committee positions in the South West, Pilbara/Kimberley and Great Southern Branches.
I have completed two terms on the State Board after being elected in 2019 and have also served on the State Conference Committee and Better Practice Committee in that time and have recently commenced as a Mentor under the LGPro Lift Off Mentoring Program.

Please outline your reasons in nominating to be a Board Member of LG Professionals WA.
As a current Board Member, I am eager to continue contributing to the growth and advancement of the local government sector and its people.
Local government often finds itself an easy target for criticism, however I take great pride in my role and believe strongly in the importance of portraying the sector in the best possible light. Upholding the highest ethical standards and positively representing the industry at every opportunity are values I’m committed to. By helping communities better understand the role we play and the services we provide, we strengthen trust and respect in local government.
I am also committed to supporting the people within our sector. Our staff are our greatest asset and having started my own career as a trainee I have experienced firsthand the importance of investing in people. Supporting, mentoring, and seeing staff grow in their careers is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
This is why I value the work of LGPro in offering training, mentoring, and support services. I want to continue contributing to these important initiatives, helping to ensure that our sector’s workforce is supported, skilled, and confident to meet the challenges of the future. 

Please outline your skills and qualities that would help to enhance the Association as a Board Member.
Having worked in various sized local governments from the Kimberley in the North to the South Coast I feel I have a great understanding of the issues facing local government from a rural and remote perspective, not just as an industry but also the challenges faced by officers working in local government.
I have extensive experience in local government policy, governance and financial management that has assisted me in contributing to the Board and I am always very open to hear and take on alternative views. I believe I have a very progressive attitude towards the role of local government and its employees and that we need to continue to evolve and change the way we do business.
I have a long history of involvement in sporting, school and community groups, including taking on office bearer roles. Participating as a club member provides me with a sense of place and belonging, and a way to hear the communities’ voice first-hand.

Please outline your priorities if successfully elected as a Board Member of LG Professionals WA.
I want to continue the promotion of local government as an unrivalled career opportunity for people to join our industry and ensure they see it as a long term future, which also means we need to encourage staff to join LG Professionals and continue to deliver value through their membership.
The Local Government Act review is going to present the biggest changes and challenges we have had to deal with since the current Act was introduced and this is a once in a career opportunity to influence change to ensure that we have equitable and achievable outcomes from the review.
LG Professionals has worked hard to develop positive relationships with key stakeholders such as WALGA and the State Government and we need to continue to develop policy and advocacy positions that benefit members and be a strong voice in our delivery of those positions to Government.