2022-07-12 - S&O Agenda - Item 3 - Attachment 1 - Governance Framework Report

  Related parties
  In accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, Council provides a framework,
  including a Related Party Disclosure Policy, for governing related-party transactions
  and reports related-party transactions, balances and commitments as required by
  legislation.

  Contact with lobbyists
  Council has a Contact with Lobbyists Policy that applies to elected members and
  Council employees and which outlines how individuals should deal with lobbyists
  and associated lobbying activities through decision-making processes and
  associated declarations. Council’s Policy provides elected members and Council
  employees with ethical guidance to ensure all contact is properly recorded and
  occurs in accordance with the requirements of the Queensland Integrity Act 2009.

  Public Interest Disclosure
  Council is committed to the disclosure and reporting of information about
  suspected wrongdoing as part of fostering an ethical and transparent culture. A
  public interest disclosure (PID) is a disclosure of perceived wrongdoing in the public
  sector. In accordance with the Queensland Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010,
  people who make a PID are protected and supported throughout the process.
  Council has a framework in place to manage such disclosures, including a Public
  Interest Disclosure Policy and associated Public Interest Disclosure Procedures. This
  is underpinned by Council’s Public Interest Disclosure Management Program that
  outlines key activities for management of PIDs at Council.

  Complaints management
  Council is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and
  communicating effectively with our community. Council aspires to provide a level of
  service that does not attract complaints, however we acknowledge our community’s
  right to provide feedback on services, including the right to lodge a complaint
  about decisions or actions that Council has taken, or failed to take, where it is
  considered appropriate to do so. This process is set out in Council’s Administrative
  Action Complaints Policy and associated Administrative Action Complaints
  Procedures.

  Equally, an individual can also make a complaint about an elected member’s
  conduct through the Office of the Independent Assessor.

  Gifts and benefits
  Council’s Gifts and Benefits Policy and supporting Code of Conduct provides
  guidance to staff and elected members on how to declare and manage any gifts
  and benefits that they may receive in their professional capacity. The provision of
  gifts and benefits to elected members and employees can create perceptions of a
  conflict of interest and it is appropriate to question why they are offered and
  whether they should be accepted. It is not appropriate for elected members or
  employees to be offered or to accept gift or benefits that affect, may be likely to
  affect or could reasonably be perceived to affect, the independent and impartial
  performance of their official duties.

NOOSA SHIRE COUNCIL                                                            PAGE 18