Public Exhibition: Draft Councillor Policies
In preparation for the 2024 Local Government Election in September, and the return of a democratically elected governing body, policies and procedures which apply to Councillors have been reviewed in accordance with recent model policy updates, industry best practice and Council’s Policy Framework.
The following draft policies were placed on public exhibition for a 28-day period from Thursday 30 May to Thursday 27 June 2024 to provide the community with an opportunity to review and submit comments:
- Code of Conduct and Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct
- Code of Meeting Practice
- Briefings and Workshops Policy
- Councillor and Staff Interaction Policy
- Councillor Induction and Professional Development Policy
Make a submission
The community were invited to make a submission on any of the draft polices.
Submissions are to be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Farmer, between 30 May and 27 June 2024 via:
- online: submission form (preferred)
- email: ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
- post: PO Box 20, Wyong NSW 2259
When providing feedback to Council, your attention is drawn to the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 which allows for possible access to certain public and personal documentation. View our privacy statement.
Closing the loop
Following the feedback received during public exhibition, Council staff reviewed all submissions and prepared a report on the outcome of the public exhibition process for Council's consideration. It was presented to Council at the 23 July 2024 Council Meeting - Item 2.13 Suite of Councillor Policies. Council adopted the Suite of Councillor Policies and the minutes from the meeting are available. All final versions of the below Councillor Policies can be found by searching 'policies' on Council's website.
Code of Conduct and Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct
Central Coast Council is sought community feedback on its Code of Conduct and Procedures for the Administration of the Code of Conduct.
Council’s Code of Conduct and supporting Procedures are based on the Office of Local Government’s (OLG) Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW and Procedures for the Administration of the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW.
The Model Code of Conduct and the supporting Procedures sets the minimum standards of conduct for council officials. It is prescribed by regulation to assist council officials to:
- understand and comply with the standards of conduct that are expected of them
- enable them to fulfil their statutory duty to act honestly and exercise a reasonable degree of care and diligence (section 439 of the Local Government)
- act in a way that enhances public confidence in local government.
Click here to view the draft 'Code of Conduct' policy document.
Code of Meeting Practice
Council’s Code of Meeting Practice (COMP) is based on the Office of Local Government’s suggested Model Code of Meeting Practice that applies to all meetings of councils and committees of councils of which all the members are councillors (committees of council). Council committees whose members include persons other than councillors may adopt their own rules for meetings unless the council determines otherwise.
Council’s COMP is based on the OLG’s Model Code with minor grammatical, numbering and sentence structure changes, as well as references to Council’s corporate structure, which are not in conflict with the OLG’s Model Code.
These proposed changes brought the Policy in line with standard Council meeting operations.
Click here to view the draft 'Code of Meeting Practice' policy document.
Briefings and Workshops Policy
The Briefings and Workshops Policy provides a framework for the orderly and proper conduct of Councillor briefings and workshops and provides clear direction and leadership to Councillors and Council officers on the purpose and structure of briefing sessions and workshops.
Click here to view the draft 'Briefings and Workshops' policy document.
Councillor and Staff Interaction Policy
The Councillor and Staff Interaction Policy provides a framework for councillors when addressing their ability to interact with, and receive advice from, authorised staff.
This Policy was reviewed against the Office of Local Government’s Model Councillor and Staff Interaction Policy.
There were minor bespoke changes made to the Policy which do not conflict with the Model Policy, including the additional information Councillor Request Portal and outlining the key staff who can interact with Councillors.
A supporting Procedure to the Policy is currently being developed that will outline the operational aspects and processes for submitting, handling, and reporting Councillor requests.
Click here to view the draft 'Councillor and Staff Interaction' policy document.
Councillor Induction and Professional Development Policy
The aim of the Councillor Induction and Professional Development Policy is to facilitate a positive working relationship between Councillors as elected representatives of the Central Coast community, and the staff employed to administer the operations of Council, recognising the important but differing contribution both parties bring to their complementary roles.
This Policy was reviewed against the Model Councillor Induction and Professional Development Policy as contained within the Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines published by the OLG.
There were no significant changes that conflict with the Model Policy.
Click here to view the draft 'Councillor Induction and Professional Development' policy document.
