Codes of Conduct and Meeting Practice adopted
Last week Wingecarribee Shire Councillors adopted new Code of Conduct, Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct and Code of Meeting Practice documents.
Together these documents detail the minimum ethical and behavioural standards expected of Councillors and Council officials and how future meetings of Council will be conducted.
Council’s Group Manager Corporate and Community, Danielle Lidgard said the documents prescribe how Council Meetings will operate and how Councillors and Council officials should conduct themselves.
Key changes to the Model Code of Conduct from previous versions include amendments 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.
Meanwhile the Code of Meeting Practice focuses on streamlining Council Meeting practices across NSW and making these meetings more accessible to the public.
“One of the most notable changes to this document is the introduction of webcasting,” said Ms Lidgard.
“Webcasting will help modernise our meetings and provide greater access for people who may not wish or be able to attend in person.”
Audio Visual Live streaming (webcasting) of Council Meetings will begin from Wednesday 26 June 2019.
“This will allow for greater transparency and more of our community being able to see how Council decisions are made without having to physically be in the Chamber,” added Ms Lidgard.
In late 2018 the State Government mandated that all Councils in NSW must make audio only or visual and audio recordings of council meetings publicly available by the end of 2019.
The documents have been adopted following a 42 day public submission period and are prescribed under the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005.
The new Code of Conduct and Code of Meeting Practice documents are available on Council’s website at www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/policies.
For further information on either document contact Council’s Group Manager Corporate and Community on phone 4868 0874.