2022-08-09 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  9 AUGUST 2022


reasonable expenses incurred whilst undertaking Council business and that they are provided
with adequate facilities necessary to discharge their duties and responsibilities. The purpose of
the policy is to ensure accountability and transparency by setting the parameters to authorise
payment of reasonable expenses incurred, or to be incurred by Councillors; and outline the
provision of facilities to be provided. Council has a broad discretion when determining the nature
and scope of support facilities to be provided under this policy however it must ensure that the
allocation of expenses and facilities provided is aligned to community expectations and do not
constitute additional remuneration to that which is set by the Local Government Remuneration
Commission.
The Policy has been developed having regard to the following Local Government Principles as
outlined in Section 4 of the Local Government Act 2009:
     Transparent and effective processes, and decision making in the public interest;
     Good governance of, and by, local government; and
     Ethical and legal behaviour of Councillors and local government employees.
Two fundamental definitions contained in the Policy which must be considered when adopting
and interpreting this Policy are; ‘what is reasonable’; and what constitutes ‘Council business’.
In accordance with Section 251 (1) (b) of the Local Government Regulation the amended Policy,
once adopted, will be published on Council’s website and a copy of the policy will be available
for inspection by the public.
Previous Council Consideration
The policy was originally adopted by Council at the Ordinary Meeting on 2 January 2014 and
was updated on 26 June 2014, 5 April 2016, 18 October 2018, and 21 May 2020.
Council Ordinary Meeting Minutes, 21 May 2020, Item 3
That Council note the report by the Director Executive Services Department to the Services &
Organisation Committee Meeting dated 12 May 2020 and adopt the updated Councillors’
Expenses Reimbursement and Provision of Facilities Policy provided at Attachment 1 to the
report.
Human Rights
In developing this policy, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision
making by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under
this policy in a manner that is compatible with human rights. In particular, representatives will
endeavour to:
-     identify relevant human rights which may be affected by the action or decision;
-     give proper consideration to the impact of its actions and decisions on human rights; and
-     ensure that any conduct or decision by Council which limits an individual’s human rights
      is reasonable and justifiable.
This policy should be read in conjunction with Council’s Human Rights Policy.
Finance
Council’s Corporate Services Department prepares the annual Councillor Expenses budget in
accordance with the provisions and limits of the policy. The proposed amendments to the policy
will require an amendment to the 22/23 budget to accommodate an increase of $7,000 per year
(Section 2.2 Discretionary Professional Development) plus an increase of approximately $3,000
per year for an additional delegate/councillor to attend the LGAQ conference (section 2.1
Mandatory Professional Development). A budget variation will be addressed in the budget
review process.

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