2017-02-07 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             7 FEBRUARY 2017



5                        GIFTS AND BENEFITS POLICY
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                             Governance Advisor, Paul Bright
                                   Executive Office

Index                              ECM/ Subject/ Governance

Attachments                        1.    Gifts and Benefits Policy


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Governance Advisor to the Services & Organisation Committee
Meeting dated 7 February 2017 and adopt the Gifts and Benefits Policy provided at Attachment 1
to the report.


REPORT
1                        Gifts and Benefits Policy

The Queensland Audit Office identified the establishment of a central gift and benefits register
applicable to Councillors, employees and the organisation, as a business improvement opportunity
during the 2015/16 Audit Program.

Whilst pursuant to section 291 the Local Government Regulation 2012, Councillors and Senior
Executive Employees are required to record relevant gifts totalling more than $500 on their
individual register of interests, there is limited organisational guidance currently in place with
respect to the management of gifts and benefits offered to other Council employees in the course
of their official duties.

It is considered that having a Council Gifts and Benefits Policy and central register will further
support Council’s commitment to transparency and good governance and provide practical
guidance to all levels of the organisation.

The Gifts and Benefits Policy provided at Attachment 1 has been drafted having regard to the
Public Service Commission’s Guideline/Directives (for state government agencies), Crime and
Corruption Commission Guidelines, and a number of local government examples.

The Policy:
 Provides guidance on good and ethical decision making with respect to gifts and benefits;
 Outlines the circumstances where the acceptance of a gift or benefit is not appropriate;
 Outlines the circumstances where the acceptance of a gift or benefit may be appropriate;
 Provides guidance on the ownership and use of gifts offered to Councillors, employees and the
   organisation;
 Prescribes value thresholds for the recording of gifts or benefits offered to Councillors and
   employees on a central Council Gifts and Benefits Register.
 Provides guidance on the recording of gifts received below the value thresholds, and gifts
   offered but not accepted.

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