2020-05-12 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA    12 MAY 2020



                                                    Attachment 1




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                    12 MAY 2020

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                                                                                   Council Policy
            A MBNerey.                                 COUNCILLORS’                      EXPENSES
            | @    |   COUNCIL                         REIMBURSEMENT                    POLICYAND
                                                       PROVISION OF FACILITIES
     |     Corporate Plan Reference:                  A-sustainable-CouncitExcellence as a Council
     |     Endorsed by Council:                      48-Octeber 204821 May 2020

           Policy Author:                             Director Executive Services

           POLICY BACKGROUND
           The purpose of this policy is to set the parameters to authorise payment of reasonable expenses
           incurred, or to be incurred, by Councillors; and provide facilities_ including administrative support to
           assist Councillors to discharge their -duties and responsibilities having regard to local circumstances.
           This policy aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the reimbursement of expenses
           incurred by the Mayor and Councillors.
           This policy is aligned to the principles underpinning the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act), that
           is:
           °     Transparent and effective processes and decision-making in the public interest:
           °     Good governance of, and by, local government; and
           °     Ethical and legal behaviour of Councillors and local government employees.
           This Policy applies to the Mayor and Councillors and is made pursuant to section 250 of the Local
           Government Regulation 2012.
           Definitions
           Council Business shall mean official business conducted on behalf of Council, where a Councillor
           is required to undertake certain tasks to satisfy legislative requirements or achieve Council
           objectives, for example, attend official Council meetings, Councillor forums and workshops, formal
           professional development training relevant to Councillor responsibilities, Committees/Boards as
           Council's official representative, and scheduled meetings relating to Council appointments.
           Council Business should result in a benefit being achieved either for the local government and/or the
           local community, for example, this includes but is not limited to:
           °     Preparing, attending and participating in Council meetings, Committee meetings, workshops,
                 strategic briefings, deputations and inspections;
           e     Investigating issues/complaints regarding Council services raised by residents/ ratepayers/
                 visitors to the Council area;
           e     Undertaking approved professional development opportunities;
           e     Attending civic functions or events;
           e     Attending public/community meetings, presentation dinners, annual general meetings where
                 invited as a Councillor;
           e     Attending a community event (e.g. school fete, community group awards and presentations,
                 fundraisers) where a formal invitation has been received.
           Participating in a community group event or being a representative on a Board not associated with
           Council is not regarded as Council business.

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