Draft Codes of Conduct and Meeting Practice on exhibition
Wingecarribee Shire Council is seeking comment from the community after Councillors endorsed the public exhibition of the draft Code of Conduct and draft Code of Meeting Practice documents.
Council’s Group Manager Corporate and Community, Danielle Lidgard explained the significance of the two documents.
“Together these two documents detail the minimum ethical and behavioural standards expected of councillors and council officials and how future meetings of Council will be conducted,” she said.
“The draft Code of Conduct has been updated to address new and emerging issues and reflect shifting community standards and expectations,” Ms Lidgard said. “Meanwhile the draft Code of Meeting Practice seeks to streamline Council meeting practices across NSW and make them more accessible to the public.”
Both documents have been prescribed under the Local Government Act 1993 and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005.
“The NSW Government has informed all councils that these codes must be in place by the middle of June this year,” Ms Lidgard said. “And while it’s mandatory that we implement these codes by mid-year there are areas where we’re able to include additional provisions.”
Key changes to the Model Code of Conduct include changes to pecuniary interests, declarations from property developers or associates and new standards relating to discrimination, harassment and bullying. Additional clauses include the use of social media.
“The draft Code of Meeting Practice on the other hand seeks to modernise meetings by introducing technology like webcasting,” Ms Lidgard added. “It’s also designed to provide greater consistency between all councils across the state.”
To view a copy of either the draft Code of Conduct and Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct or the draft Code of Meeting Practice visit www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au/Codes-and-procedures. The documents can also be viewed in person at Council’s libraries or Moss Vale Civic Centre.
Submissions can be made online or in writing addressed to Wingecarribee Shire Council, PO Box 141 Moss Vale 2577 or alternatively by email at mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au and should include a reference to the applicable document.
Submissions and feedback close at 9.00am on Friday 24 May 2019.
Following the close of the exhibition period, a final report considering submissions on each draft code will be presented to Council.
For further information contact Council’s Group Manager Corporate and Community on phone 4868 0874.