Adopted policies to provide greater transparency
To further strengthen the focus on openness and transparency, Wingecarribee Shire Council has adopted a range of governance policies.
Following a period of public exhibition, three draft governance policies were adopted at Council’s December Meeting:
- Public Interest Disclosure Internal Reporting Policy
- Former Employees Dealing with Council Policy
- Assessment of Development Applications involving Conflict of Interest Policy
Council’s Manager Governance and Corporate Performance, Danielle Lidgard explained the significance of the recently adopted policies.
“These policies set clear guidelines as to how Council proposes to deal with historically contentious issues,” she said.
“This includes examples of public interest disclosures, development assessment recommendations that may involve conflicts of interest and interactions with staff that have recently left the organisation.”
Ms Lidgard said the policies would assist in removing ambiguity around issues of public interest, use of consultants and development application assessments.
“Together these governance policies provide clear direction for Council and the community as to what is and isn’t acceptable when dealing with these potentially sensitive issues,” she said.
“They also provide a framework to encourage reporting of serious wrongdoing and how Council proposes to deal with any such incidents should they occur.”
“When councilors return in 2024 these policies will ensure the incoming Council have clear and acceptable behavioural guidelines to follow.”
To view these Policies, visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/Council/Codes-and-Policies.