The New South Wales Division of Local Government (DLG) has announced the first workshop on the division Model Code of Conduct reform proposal.

 

The workshop comes as the DLG published its Model of Conduct reform paper in October, identifying the following reform agenda:

  • For councils to be ultimately responsible for the management of complaints about the conduct of their officials
  • To put in place a framework for  managing such complaints that is rigorous, cost-effective and promotes public confidence.
  • To ensure that only those matters that warrant investigation are investigated and that alternative resolution strategies are available for those matters that do not warrant investigation.
  • For all councils, regardless of their  size and location to be able to access a pool of independent and suitably qualified persons to undertake investigations where they are warranted.
  • To provide greater clarity and certainty in relation to the procedural requirements of the code at the same time as allowing flexibility.
  • To ensure the code has more “teeth”. To ensure that rights are adequately protected and  that appropriate checks and balances are in place.
  • To put in place adequate protections and disincentives to prevent the misuse of the code.
  • To minimise the exposure of councils to costly appeal processes in the Courts. 5
  • To remove the current obstacles to the more effective exercise of the Division’s powers under the misbehaviour provisions of the Act and to provide it with more options for managing misbehaviour.
  • To make the penalties that may be applied by the Chief Executive and the Pecuniary Interest and Disciplinary Tribunal in relation to misbehaviour more effective in deterring and managing such conduct.

 

The workshop will hear the views of stakeholders involved in the administration of the code of conduct on the proposed reforms, the Division is holding a series of workshops in a number of locations around the State.

 

The workshop will be held at 12.30 pm on Tuesday 29 November 2011 at the Ballina Shire Council Chambers.

 

The DLG's reform proposal can be found here

 

Registrations close on the 18th of November. More information can be found here