2018-05-08 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA     8 MAY 2018




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                             8 MAY 2018

                                                                               ATTACHMENT 1

        | ¢ yy     NOOSA                                                       Council Policy
        @      |   COUNCIL                           COUNCILLORS’ EXPENSES

       Corporate Plan Reference:                 ‘A sustainable Council

       Endorsed by Council:                       18 August 2016

 |     Policy Author:                            Executive MarnagerDirector 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 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
       e  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:
       e  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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