2015-03-03 Planning & Organisation Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                 3 MARCH 2015


11                     CONTACT WITH LOBBYISTS POLICY
CUMENT INF ORM ATION




Author                            Executive Manager, Debra Iezzi
                                  Executive Office

Index                             ECM/Subject/Corporate Governance

Attachments                       1.    Contact with Lobbyists Policy


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Executive Manager to the Planning & Organisation
Committee Meeting dated 3 March 2015 and
A.                     Repeal the Contact with Lobbyists Policy that transferred to the Noosa Council from
                       the Sunshine Coast Regional Council under the Local Government (De-amalgamation
                       Implementation) Regulation 2013;
B.                     Adopt the Noosa Council Contact with Lobbyists Policy; and
C.                     Authorise the Chief Executive to develop Guidelines to support the Contact with
                       Lobbyists Policy and subsequently arrange training for Councillors and relevant staff.


REPORT
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the responsibilities of Councillors and
Council Officers under the Integrity Act 2009 (The Act) and to seek Council’s endorsement to
the development of supporting Guidelines by the Chief Executive Officer.
1.                     Background
The Act is intended to promote trust in the integrity of government processes and ensure
that contact between lobbyists and government representatives is conducted in accordance
with public expectations of transparency and integrity. Lobbyists and government
representatives (including Councillors and Council Officers) are expected to comply with the
requirements of The Act.
The attached Policy (refer Attachment 1) will assist Council to:
-    Preserve confidence in the good governance of the Noosa Council;
-    Minimise the likelihood of claims being made of improper dealings, bias or conflict of
     interest; and
-    Promote transparency.
It is accepted that Councillors and Council Officers will be approached or lobbied by
members of the community on a broad range of issues. However there is a difference
between the type of lobbying carried out by ordinary members of the community and
professional lobbyists engaged by a third party client for fee or reward to influence local
government decision making. Regulation of the activities of professional lobbyists is via The
Act (sections 41-44) which defines a lobbyist, places limitations on lobbying activities and
also requires the registration of professional lobbyists with the Integrity Commissioner.




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