Special Council Meeting – Review of Councillor Code of Conduct
Held in the
Council Chamber
Nunawading Civic Centre
379 Whitehorse Road Nunawading
On
Monday 20 February 2017
at 8.00pm
Members: Cr Denise Massoud (Mayor), Cr Bill Bennett,
Cr Raylene Carr, Cr Prue Cutts, Cr Andrew Davenport,
Cr Sharon Ellis, Cr Tina Liu, Cr Andrew Munroe,
Cr Ben Stennett, Cr Tanya Tescher
Ms Noelene Duff
Chief Executive Officer
Whitehorse City Council
Special Council Minutes- Review of Councillor Code of Conduct 20 February 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
Whitehorse City Council
Special Council Minutes- Review of Councillor Code of Conduct 20 February 2017
Meeting opened at 8.00pm
Present: Cr Massoud (Mayor), Cr Bennett, Cr Carr, Cr Cutts, Cr Davenport,
Cr Ellis, Cr Liu, Cr Munroe, Cr Stennett, Cr Tescher
The Mayor Welcomed all.
APOLOGIES: Nil
2 DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
Nil
3.1 Review of Councillor Code of Conduct
FILE NUMBER:
ATTACHMENT
SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is to review the Councillor Code of Conduct as required of the Local Government 1989 Section 76C (2).
There is a legislative requirement that Council must within 4 months after a general election call a special meeting to review its Councillor Code of Conduct and approve any amendments.
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Moved by Cr Carr, Seconded by Cr Cutts That Council:
1. Having undertaken a review of its Councillor Code of Conduct as required under the Local Government Act 1989, hereby endorse the adoption of the Councillor Code of Conduct (as amended) and the incorporated documents i.e. Guide for Councillors and Election Period Policy (Refer to Attachment 1) 2. Request the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to: a) Ensure that a signed declaration is made before the CEO by each Councillor that he/she will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and a copy of the code provided to each Councillor; b) Make a copy available for inspection at Council’s Civic Centre; and c) Make a copy available on Council’s website.
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3.1
(cont)
DISCUSSION
Council adopted its current Councillor Code of Conduct (“the Code”) on 27 June 2016 and then as was required after the general Council election (Section 63 (1) (b) read the Councillor code of conduct and made a declaration on the 9 November 2016 that each Councillor would abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct.
The Code, as it stands, does not replicate what is expressly prescribed by legislation and/or Council policy, but rather places emphasis on matters customary to Council. Therefore, the proposed Councillor Code of Conduct (and incorporated documents i.e. Guide for Councillors and Election period policy) intentionally maintains previously adopted material, and is inclusive of any previous amendments to legislation and matters prevalent to Local Government.
CONSULTATION
Councillors have been consulted during the review of the Code and have provided comments and suggested amendments which were considered and discussed at Councillor informal briefing sessions. An awareness and information session was conducted by Terry Bramham Lawyer with Macquarie Local Government Lawyers on 6 February 2017.
IMPLICATIONS
1. Legislative
The Local Government Act 1989 (as amended), compels Council to review and make any necessary amendments to its Councillor Code of Conduct by 22 February 2017. As this is a statutory obligation, there are no Charter of Human Rights implications for Council.
2. Council Plan / Policy
Meets Council’s strategic objective of “Strong leadership and governance in partnership with the community”
3. Financial
There are no financial implications associated with this report.
CONCLUSION
A Councillor Code of Conduct contributes to, and strengthens the foundations of the collaborative spirit between elected representatives. Importantly, consistent with their legal obligations, Councillors are expected to observe certain behaviours that support the effective decision making processes of the Council. It is considered that the Councillor Code of Conduct will support Councillors in achieving these objectives.
Attachment
Meeting closed at 8.05pm
Confirmed this 20th day of March 2017
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