Public Administration News
Share
 |
Australia: Council to Probe Code Breaches |
| Source: |
theislanderonline.com.au |
| Source Date: |
Thursday, April 07, 2011 |
| Focus: |
Electronic and Mobile Government, Citizen Engagement, Internet Governance
|
| Country: |
Australia |
| Created: |
Apr 07, 2011 |
|
Several allegations of breaches of the Code of Conduct are being investigated by the Kangaroo Island Council.
The council has held two special meetings since March’s ordinary meeting to deal with the complaints.
Mayor Jayne Bates said the council had
engaged outside assistance to investigate the claims and had also sought legal advice on how best to proceed.
At the special meeting on March 29, the council directed chief executive officer Carmel Noon to develop a procedure on compliance with the Code of Conduct for Elected Members, to be presented at the next council meeting on April 13.
Ms Noon reported at the March 29 meeting that it was a requirement of the Local Government Act that the code be reviewed within 12 months of the election.
“However, it is my opinion that the current Code of Conduct needs urgent review to address the complaint that has been lodged against an elected member,” Ms Noon said.
She said the current code was limited in its options on compliance.
“Acting with integrity and professionalism is everyone’s responsibility. While we appreciate that we can all make honest mistakes, we will be fair but firm when people knowingly do the wrong thing,” she said.
She referred to the recently established Local Government Governance Panel, which had been formed to assist councils in this and other matters.
Penalties for breaches could include censuring the member, requesting a formal apology, training or counselling for the member and removing a
member from committees or
community positions where he or she represents the council.
“In the case of the member continuing to breach the code after all else has failed, the confidentiality of breaches would not be applied and future breaches would be discussed in a
public forum after all process and principles with the code had been
followed,” Ms Noon said.
The council has discussed two Code of Conduct allegations behind closed doors in March.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rate: |
0 ratings
|
Views: |
234 |
| Comments: |
0 |
Favorited: |
0 |
Bookmarked: |
0 |
Tagged: |
0 |
|
|
|
|