2018-12-11 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   11 DECEMBER 2018




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                          11 DECEMBER 2018

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                                                                          Queensland
                                                                          Integrity Commissioner

         °      Council decisions are collective          which the view of the majority of Councillors
                prevails. It is these majority d          hich are required to be minuted) that are
                ultimately of most significance for      in terms of accountability. This is highlighted
                in the legislation by the requirement t  cal government may only exempt committees
                from the requirement to take minutes where it is not making a decision (section 272(7)).

         °      Automated Recording could provide incentive for Councillors to raise issues or tailor their
                discussion for personal or political advantage. This could cause disruption, contention or
                hinder Council meetings or its operations. This in turn has the potential to lead to
                disharmony within Council and may effect good governance and public confidence in
                decision making, contrary to the local government principles.

         °      Conversely, conscious of the Automated Recording, Councillors may feel more inhibited
                during Council meetings for example, in asking questions or raising issues of concern.

   The above is not an exhaustive list, and other public interest considerations are likely to emerge
   through constructive debate by Council.

   4.    Summary

   Transparency and accountability in relation to Council’s decisions is of the highest importance and
   Council meetings and processes play a critical role in that regard. In seeking the advice, you have
   clearly turned your mind to this important issue.

   Whether the Automated Recording of Council meetings is in the public interest is a matter Councillors
   are best placed to decide. However, I have listed some relevant factors for consideration.

   Under section 27 of the Integrity Act 2009 (Qld), you may disclose this letter as you see fit. However, in
   the interests of transparency, and so that Council can give fulsome consideration to this matter, should
   you choose to disclose this advice I would strongly urge you to disclose it in full.

   Yours sincerely,

   Mr Mark Glen
   ACTING QUEENSLAND INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER
   W. https://www.integrity.qld.gov.au
     integrity. commissionertintegiy cana
   M. +61 428 233 630

   Note: The Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld) does not apply to this document and the enquiry to which
   it responds — Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld), schedule 1, section 6.

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