Meeting papers

      Corporate Governance                                                                                                  Additional targeted online e-learning training on elements of the Code was provided to all staff throughout
                                                                                                                            the financial year on the following topics:


                                                                                                                            - Fraud and corruption prevention
      Governance Framework
                                                                                                                            - Governance Framework
                                                                                                                            - Conflicts of Interest
      Noosa Council is a dynamic organisation providing various services to the Noosa Shire community. It is important
      to view our activities through the lens of good governance by recognising that activities, actions, policies, and
                                                                                                                            On 13 October 2022, the Executives, Managers, Supervisors and Coordinators participated in a tailored
      strategies provide an opportunity to demonstrate strong governance and leadership in facilitating good decision
                                                                                                                            Governance, Ethics and Integrity Training session delivered by external experts which covered the
      making for our community.
                                                                                                                            following areas:

      On 21 July 2022, Council adopted a new Governance Framework which provides a holistic and strategic overview of
                                                                                                                            - Governance Framework
      our current governance practices across Council.
                                                                                                                            - Conflicts of interest
                                                                                                                            - Fraud and corruption
      The Governance Framework outlines processes and practices that enable good governance and decision making
                                                                                                                            - Public Interest Disclosures
      for councillors, management, and employees of Council. This includes the following governance principles:
                                                                                                                            - Integrity issues in local government
                                                                                                                            - Case studies and ethical dilemmas
      - Vision and Culture
      - Roles and Relationships
                                                                                                                            The training was well received and assisted the leadership levels of Council in further understanding their
      - Decision-making and Management




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Noosa Council Annual Report 2022 - 2023
                                                                                                                            obligations, ethics principles, and legislative standards of compliance.
      - Accountability

                                                                                                                            To further support Council’s governance, ethics and integrity framework, several staff from the
      Council’s Governance Framework is available to view on Council’s website: noosa.qld.gov.au/about-council/governance
                                                                                                                            Governance Branch completed targeted training on public interest disclosures, privacy, and human rights.

      Ethics and Integrity
                                                                                                                            Additionally, the following strategic documents were reviewed and adopted by Council:

      In accordance with sections 12M(2) and 23 of the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994, Council is required to have
                                                                                                                            - Governance Framework (21 July 2022)
      developed and implemented a Code of Conduct based on the following ethical principles and values:
                                                                                                                            - Fraud and Corruption Control Plan (30 August 2022)
                                                                                                                            - Public Interest Disclosure Policy (15 September 2022)
      - integrity and impartiality
                                                                                                                            - Public Interest Disclosure Management Program (4 April 2023)
      - promoting the public good
      - commitment to the system of government, and
                                                                                                                            The effective implementation of Council’s Governance Framework is reliant on the commitment, skills and
      - accountability and transparency.
                                                                                                                            professionalism of Council’s employees and elected members. Council will continue to deliver regular
                                                                                                                            training and awareness sessions as part of its commitment to good governance for Council and the
      Council’s employees are bound by the standards of behaviour set in Council’s Employee Code of Conduct (“the
                                                                                                                            community.
      Code”). Agreeing to work in compliance of the Code is a mandatory requirement of all positions.


      During this financial year, Council provided online e-learning and face-to-face training and education to all
      employees on its expectations regarding conduct through inductions of new staff members and re-inductions of
      existing staff. This approach has made it easier for employees to complete timely training and testing to ensure
      they understand their responsibilities to adhere to the Code. For this reporting period, 72% of employees (new and
      current) completed online Employee Code of Conduct training.




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