2014-02-25 Planning & Organisation Committee Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   25 FEBRUARY 2014


                                                   Attachment 2




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PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                            25 FEBRUARY 2014

                                                                                            Attachment 2

            | Regional Council

              POLICY STATEMENT

              TITLE:        Development Assessment — Roles and Responsibilities of
                            Councillors and Council Employees

             Category:                       Corporate Plan — Leadership and Governance
             Date:                           24 April 2012
              Responsible Department:        Regional Strategy and Planning
              Reference No.:                 8

             POLICY OBJECTIVE

             Councillors and council employees are frequently consulted by proponents regarding
             planning and development applications or proposals.
             This policy provides a guide to the appropriate level of interaction and involvement between
             Councillors, council employees, developers and members of the community regarding
             development proposals during the formal development assessment (DA) phases.
             The policy sets a framework that provides a guide to the level and extent of what is
             considered to be appropriate interaction with various stakeholders during the DA process
             and applies only to those applications that are ‘live’ development applications, as opposed to
             simple enquiries about future visions, plans or opportunistic ventures.
             The policy aims to:
                *   assist Councillors and council employees to avoid any inference or allegation of
                    dishonesty or bias in the performance of their public or professional duties;
                =   instil public confidence in the open and transparent manner in which council deals
                    with development applications and the impartiality of council’s decision making
                    process; and
                =   inform Councillors and officers of their role and obligation as a preventative strategy
                    to alleviate the risk of legislative breach or inappropriate behaviour.

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