Annual Report 2014

STRATEGIC POLICY – COUNCILLORS’ EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENT POLICY


COUNCIL POLICY

1       General Entitlement

Councillors are entitled to be reimbursed reasonable expenses incurred while undertaking Council
business and to be provided with facilities to assist them in undertaking their duties.


2       Professional Development

Council will reimburse or be responsible for the cost of reasonable expenses incurred for:

     Mandatory professional development; and/or
     Discretionary professional development deemed essential for the Councillor’s role.

Any professional development requiring overseas travel requires a formal Council resolution.

2.1     Mandatory Professional Development

Noosa Council will reimburse or cover expenses incurred for the following activities:

     The Mayor’s attendance (or his Nominee Councillor) as the primary delegate at the LGAQ and
      ALGA Annual Conferences and any other relevant conferences/seminars/workshops;
     Workshops, courses, seminars and conferences that are important to the role of a Councillor.

Approval to attend is made by Council resolution following a report to Council seeking approval for
attendance, or by the Mayor.

2.2     Discretionary Professional Development

Each Councillor can attend, at their discretion, workshops, courses, seminars and conferences that
improve their skills relevant to the role of Councillor. This training is initially limited to $5,000 per
Councillor in each quadrennial term of office or $1,250 per year, but will be reviewed annually
when setting the budget.

There is no requirement for a Council resolution to approve these attendances. However, the
Councillor must submit details to the Chief Executive Officer prior to attending and provide all
relevant documentation within 14 days of attending the event to ensure reimbursement of
expenses.


3       Travel as Required to Represent Council

Council will reimburse travel expenses (e.g. flights, motor vehicle, accommodation, meals and
associated registration fees) deemed reasonable and necessary to achieve the business of
Council where:

     A Councillor is an official representative of Council; and
     The activity/event and travel has been endorsed by resolution of Council, or by the Mayor.

Approval for such travel is subject to the following conditions:

     Wherever possible all travel by Councillors will be booked and paid for by Council in advance;
      Council will generally cover accommodation up to a 4 star maximum standard;



Noosa Council                                                                                 Page 3 of 7