2018-10-09 Services & Organisation Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   9 OCTOBER 2018




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                              9 OCTOBER 2018

                                                                                            ATTACHMENT 1
            lefte|     NOOSA                                                       Council Policy
            mm mi      Keelenere
                 a                                        COUNCILLORS’ EXPENSES
                                                           REIMBURSEMENT POLICY

           Corporate Plan Reference:                  ‘A sustainable Council

            Endorsed by Council:                      15 October 2018

            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 to assist Councillors to discharge
           their duties and responsibilities.
           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 LocalGovernment 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 behaviounof 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;
           °     Investigating issues/complaints regarding Council services raised by residents/ ratepayers/
                 visitors to the Council area;
           e     Undertaking approved professional development opportunities;
           °     Attending civic functions or events;
           °     Attending public/community meetings, presentation dinners, annual general meetings where
                 invited as a Councillor;
           °     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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