2014-01-13 Item 6.3 Appendices 1-5

ORDINARY MEETING AGENDA                                                           2 JANUARY 2014


6.8    COUNCILLORS’ EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENT POLICY

DOCUMENT INFORMATION
File No

Author            Chief of Staff, Executive Office



SUMMARY/PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is for Council to consider the adoption of a Councillors’ Expenses
Reimbursement Policy to provide for the payment of reasonable expenses and facilities to
councillors for discharging their responsibilities under the Local Government Act 2009.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Pursuant to section 250 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 council must adopt by
resolution an expenses reimbursement policy. This policy must be made in accordance with the
local government principles as contained within section 4 of the Local Government Act 2009.

The purpose of this policy is to set the parameters to authorise the payment of reasonable
expenses incurred, or to be incurred, by councillors; and to provide facilities to assist councillors
to discharge their duties and responsibilities.

The four key areas of the policy are the amount of councillors’ entitlements for discretionary
professional development, hospitality, private vehicle usage and telecommunications.

A copy of the policy is attached to this report.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Nil.

REPORT
This policy applies to the Mayor and Councillors of the Noosa Council. It is compliant with the
principles underpinning the Local Government Act 2009. Two fundamental definitions in the
interpretation of the policy are the meanings of “what is reasonable” and “council business”.

Key aspects of the policy are provisions for:

1.     Mandatory professional development related to the role of councillor, subject to council
       approval.

2.     Discretionary professional development limited to $5,000 per councillor in each quadrennial
       term of office or $1,250 per year, to be reviewed annually when setting the budget.

3.     Travel and accommodation expenses deemed necessary and reasonable to achieve the
       business of council when a councillor is an official representative of council.




                                                                                      Page 22 of 36