By Adam Coleman

With the move to establish constitutional recognition for local government high on the agenda at the National General Assembly of Local Government in Darwin, the Australian Local Government Association has announced a constitutional forum will replace the assembly next year.

“This time next year the ALGA board will convene a constitutional forum instead of the normal National General Assembly, it will be held in Canberra and it will be in the month of November,” said Australian Local Government Association vice president, Cr Bill Mitchell.

He said the next general assembly will be held in April 09.

“That will certainly give you something to think about and something to progress within your own constituencies over the next twelve months,” he said.

“Through the involvement of the state associations we will certainly be keeping our local members well and truly up to date on the thinkings (sic), the wordings and the implications of constitutional recognition for local government.