2016-10-17 GC Agenda - Item 8 - Attachment 2 (Amended) - Statement of Financial Position

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Political and Operational Division
 The policy recognises a division in Council responsibility in relation to the media:
 *«  The Mayor and Councillors when specifically authorised by the Mayor are responsible for
     media relations that focus on the information relating to community issues and the strategic
     policy and deliberative decisions of the Council, often requiring opinion and interpretation (the
     political issues); and
 e   Council staffs under the direction of the CEO have the responsibility for media relations and
     information relating to the delivery of Council's agreed programs and services and are
     generally limited to providing factual information as distinct from opinion (service delivery
     issues).

Guidelines Relating to Elected Members

 1.    The Mayor is the official spokesman for the Council. No other Council personnel may
       assume this responsibility unless specifically authorised by the Mayor,
 2.  ° Media releases will   generally be    initiated by the   Mayor to deal with matters of
       significance/interest from Council meetings, and will usually feature quotes;
 3.    Elected members who wish to initiate a Council media release must first obtain approval of      :
       the Mayor, and the media release must be authorised by the Mayor prior to release;
 4,    The quotes featured in media releases will be attributed to the Councillor who has been
       associated with the particular issue, alternatively to the Mayor. If the former, the Councillor
       will first approve the release, followed by final approval from the Mayor;
 5.    When Councillors speak to media personnel, they will do so in accordance with the
       Councillor Code of Conduct and their ethical and behavioural obligations under the
       Queensland Local Government Act 2009; and
 6.    All Council media releases will be copied to elected members and selected staff.

Guidelines Relating to Staff                                                  .

  7.   Unless exempted by clause 5 below, staff who wish to initiate media releases or contact the
       media must obtain approval of the Chief Executive Officer or his delegate, and any contact
       with the media shall be coordinated through the Communication Officer;
  2.   Only staff who are authorised by the CEO may speak to the media in response to queries.
       Responses must be limited to matters of fact only:
  3.   Staff shall not comment about “political” matters to the media, nor express personal opinions;
  4,   Staff receiving any media enquiries of a political nature or on subjects outside their authority
       shall refer the enquiry to the Communication Officer; and
  5.   Nothing In these guidelines shall prevent staff in the course of their normal work
       responsibilities from issuing general promotional material and information relating to the
       activities and events for the programs and services under their jurisdiction, and in line with
       Noosa    Council  branding   guidelines; however    copies  should   be  lodged   with  the
       Communication Officer.

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