2022-11-14 GC Agenda - Item 5 - Attachment 1 - Annual Report 2021-22

                                                                                2021 - 22 Annual Report




Corporate Governance
Governance Framework
Noosa Shire 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, procedures and strategies provide an opportunity to demonstrate
strong governance and leadership in facilitating good decision making for our community.
Council’s Governance Framework provides a holistic and strategic overview of our current
governance practices across Council. The framework consists of the rules, relationships, systems
and processes within and by which authority is exercised and decisions are made and actioned
within the organisation to optimise Council’s performance to achieve its objectives.


Public Sector Ethics
In accordance with sections 12M(2) and 23 of the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994, Council is required
to have developed and implemented a code of conduct based on the following ethical principles and
values:
  • integrity and impartiality
  • promoting the public good
  • commitment to the system of government, and
  • accountability and transparency.
Council’s employees are bound by the standards of behaviour set in Council’s Employee Code of
Conduct (the Code). Agreeing to work in compliance of the Code is a mandatory requirement of all
positions.
During the period, 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, a total of 568 employees completed online Employee Code of Conduct training.
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,
  • Public Interest Disclosures,
  • Conflicts of Interest,
  • Human Rights, and
  • Privacy and Information Access.
To further support Council’s governance, ethics and integrity framework, several staff from the
Governance Branch completed training on public interest disclosures, investigations, privacy and
human rights.
Additionally, the following policies and procedures were reviewed and adopted by Council:
  • Fraud and Corruption Control Policy (16 December 2021)
  • Conflict of Interest Organisational Policy and Guidelines (20 December 2021)

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