2020-11-10 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   10 NOVEMBER 2020




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                             10 NOVEMBER 2020

           COUNCIL POLICY - COUNCILLOR COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION POLICY
      |    If the suspected inappropriate conduct involves conduct_where, ‘hatin the circumstances, the Mayor
           believes, it is in the best interests of the investigation to refer the matter for external investigation,
           then the Chief Executive Officer mustmay refer the suspected inappropriate conduct to the President
           of the Councillor Conduct Tribunal (the Tribunal) or another entity to investigate and make
           recommendations to the Council about dealing with the conduct.
           If the suspected inappropriate conduct involves an allegation about the conduct of the Mayor or the
           Mayor as the complainant, then the Chief Executive Officer may refer the suspected inappropriate
           conduct to the President of the Tribunal, or another entity, to investigate and make recommendations
           to the Council about dealing with the conduct.
           o—_srciiscaies abe, iecascuciohigs Llewce oe
          o—the Mayoras the complainant then

           9.    Early resolution
           Before beginning an investigation, the investigator pustshould consider whether the matter is
           appropriate for resolution prior to the investigation. This consideration can includes any
           recommendations made by the Assessor.
           A matter is only appropriate for early resolution if the parties to the matter both voluntarily agree to
           explore early resolution.
           _The investigator may engage an independent person with suitable qualifications or experience to
           facilitate this process.
           If the matter cannot be resolved, the matter will then be investigated as outlined in this Investigation
           Policy.
           If the matter is resolved prior to investigation, the investigator will advise the Chief Executive Officer
           of this outcome. In turn, the Chief Executive Officer will advise the Mayor (if the Mayor is not the
           investigator) and all Councillors that the matter has been resolved. The Chief Executive Officer will
           also update the Councillor Conduct Register to reflect this.
           10.   Timeliness

           The investigator will make all reasonable endeavors to complete the investigation and provide a
           report for inclusion on the agenda of a Council meeting no more than eight weeks after the receipt
           of the complaint.
           Note: If the investigator is of the opinion that it may take longer than eight weeks to complete the
           investigation, the matter should be raised with the Mayor (if the Mayor is not the investigator) to seek
           an extension of time.
           11.   Assistance for investigator
           If the Mayor, or another Councillor appointed by Council resolution, is the investigator of a matter of
           suspected inappropriate conduct, the Mayor or Councillor may use section 170A of the LGA to seek
           assistance during the investigation.
           The Mayor is authorised by Council to expend money as reasonably needed to engage contractors
           in accordance with the Council's procurement policy.

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