Governance

Policies and procedures managed by Council's Governance team ensures Councillors uphold good governance and a high level of integrity. 

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: 

• Councillor Expenses - 1 July to 30 September 2023(PDF, 243KB)
• Councillor Expenses - 1 October to 31 December 2023(PDF, 201KB)
• Councillor Expenses - 1 January to 31 March 2024(PDF, 243KB)
• Councillor Expenses - 1 April to 30 June 2024(PDF, 628KB) 

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.

• View Instrument of Delegation to the Chief Executive Officer(PDF, 348KB)
• View Instrument of Delegation to Members of Council Staff(PDF, 1MB)
• View Planning and Consultation Committee - Delegation and Terms of Reference(PDF, 251KB)

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

• Decision Making Policy(PDF, 789KB) 
• Election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor(PDF, 423KB) 
• Election Period Policy(PDF, 677KB) 
• Meeting Procedures(PDF, 776KB)
• Procedure for Disclosure of Conflict of Interests(PDF, 554KB)

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.

• View Council's Summary of personal interests returns September 2023(PDF, 244KB)
• View Council's Summary of personal interests returns March 2024 (PDF, 434KB)

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.

• 2023 Disclosable Gift Register(PDF, 43KB)
• Register of Conflicts of Interest 2023-2024(PDF, 130KB)