2023-02-07 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   7 FEBRUARY 2023




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                  7 FEBRUARY 2023

              On 12 October 2021, the Electoral and Other Legislation (Accountability, Integrity and
              Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 and section 197A of the Local Government Act 2009
              came into force. These changes formed part of the Queensland Government rolling reform
              agenda in the local government sector to further strengthen transparency, accountability
              and integrity measures that apply to the system of local government in Queensland.

              Section 197A of the Act established requirements for councils that wish to employ
              councillor advisors and councillor administrative support staff to assist councillors
              complete their duties. The role of councillor advisors is currently restricted to Brisbane
              City Council and to those councils within category 4 to 8 as prescribed by this
              Commission,

              The requirements in relation to the appointment of councillor advisors include the
              following:
               e   mustvote to pass a resolution to create councillor advisor positions (except Brisbane
                   City Council)
               e   appoint advisor, at the discretion of councillors and only until the councillor’s term
                   ends, unless re-appointed by a new councillor
               e   must report the costs of councillor advisors to the community, for example through
                  the council’s annual report.

              Requirements for councillor advisors include the following:

               e  they must submit registers of interests and keep them up-to-date
               e  they must follow a new Code of conduct for councillor advisors in Queensland
               e  they must comply with the local government principles and can be found guilty of
                   integrity offences.
              A dedicated telephone hotline (07 3452 6747) has been established by the Department of
              State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning to respond to any
              questions regarding councillor advisors. The hotline is available between the hours of
              8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
              Alternatively, email enquiries can be forwarded to [email protected] Commission is yet to receive any submissions or enquiries in relation to councillor
              advisors as at the date of its determination.

       LOCAL GOVERNMENT REMUNERATION COMMISSION | ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22                                   14

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