2014-03-25 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda Pages 168-231

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   25 MARCH 2014




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PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    25 MARCH 2014

  Political and Operational Division
  The Policy recognises a division in Council responsibility in relation to the media:
  e   The Mayor and Councillors when specifically authorised by the Mayor are responsible for
      media relations that focus on the information relating to community issues and the strategic
      policy and deliberative decisions of the Council, often requiring opinion and interpretation (the
      political issues); and
  e   Council staff under the direction of the CEO have the responsibility for media relations and
      information relating to the delivery of Council’s agreed programs and services and are
      generally limited to providing factual information as distinct from opinion (service delivery
      issues).

  Guidelines relating to Elected Members

  1.    The Mayor is the official spokesman for the Council.     No other Council personnel may
        assume this responsibility unless specifically authorised by the Mayor;
  2.    Media   releases will  generally be   initiated by the  Mayor to    deal with   matters of
        significance/interest from Council meetings, and will usually feature quotes;
  3.    Elected members who wish to initiate a Council media release must first obtain approval of
        the Mayor, and the media release must be authorised by the Mayor prior to release;
  4.    The quotes featured in media releases will be attributed to the Councillor who has been
        associated with the particular issue, alternatively to the Mayor. If the former, the Councillor
        will first approve the release, followed by final approval from the Mayor;
  5.    When Councillors speak to media personnel, they will do so in accordance with the
        Councillor Code of Conduct and their ethical and behavioural obligations under the
        Queensland Local Government Act 2009; and
  6. — All Council media releases will be copied to elected members and selected staff.

  Guidelines relating to Staff

  1. | Unless exempted by clause 5 below, staff who wish to initiate media releases or contact the
        media must obtain approval of the Chief Executive Officer or his delegate, and any contact
        with the media shall be coordinated through the Communication Officer;
  2.    Only staff who are authorised by the CEO may speak to the media in response to queries.
        Responses must be limited to matters of fact only;
  3.    Staff shall not comment about “political” matters to the media, nor express personal opinions;
  4.    Staff receiving any media enquiries of a political nature or on subjects outside their authority
        shall refer the enquiry to the Communication Officer; and
  5.    Nothing in these guidelines shall prevent staff in the course of their normal work
        responsibilities from issuing general promotional material and information relating to the
        activities and events for the programs and services under their jurisdiction, and in line with
        Noosa   Council   branding  guidelines,  however    copies  should   be  lodged   with  the
        Communication Officer.

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