Governance
Council is committed to maintaining strong governance practices.
In this section, you will find information on Councillor expenses, delegations, personal interests returns, protected disclosures, conflict of interest and gifts.
Model Councillor Code of Conduct
The Model Councillor Code of Conduct outlines what the mayor and councillors may and may not do as a Council representative. It covers various areas of professional conduct and details the standards of behaviour expected of councillors in their interactions with other councillors, Council staff and the public. It also explains procedures for dealing with conflicts that may occur.
Model Councillor Code of Conduct
Councillor Expense Reports
Councillors are entitled to be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Quarterly reports of all councillor expenses are provided to Councillors and Council’s Audit and Risk Committee.
The reports include:
- expenses incurred by Councillors during the quarter
- reimbursement claims made by Councillors during the quarter.
For the purposes of transparency and good governance, quarterly reports are published below:
Delegations
Delegating a Council's powers, duties and functions is essential to fulfilling the responsibilities of local government. When a Council delegates a power, duty or function to a member of staff or to a committee (a 'delegate'), the decision of the delegate is deemed to be a decision of the Council.
Governance Rules
Section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020 requires Council to adopt Governance Rules by 1 September 2020.
Download Council's Governance Rules
Personal Interests Returns
Councillors, nominated officers and the CEO must lodge an initial personal interest return within 30 days of taking up the position, and then biannually. Council must publish a summary of the personal interests returns on the Council website.
Conflicts of Interest and Gifts
Council's Gift Policy requires a register of gifts with a value or cumulative value greater than $50 offered to Staff or Councillors - whether accepted or declined - to be published on the Council website.