Code of Conduct
Woollahra Council is committed to fair dealing and high standards of ethical behaviour in the care, control and management of the Woollahra Municipality. The community places its trust in Woollahra's Councillors, Council staff and Council delegates to ensure that they serve it faithfully and honestly when managing resources on its behalf.
The community is entitled to expect that the business of Council will be conducted with efficiency, impartiality and integrity in accordance with the principle that the public will always have absolute priority over private interests.
Councillors, staff and delegates are required to observe the highest standards of honesty and loyalty to the Council and avoid any form of conduct that would bring Council, Councillors, staff or Council delegates into disrepute.
The Local Government Act 1993 requires every Council to adopt a Code of Conduct that incorporates the provisions of The Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW. The Office of Local Government released a Model Code of Conduct framework which includes:
- Model Code of Conduct
- Procedures for the Administration of the Model Code of Conduct.
Council's Code of Conduct contains all of the provisions of the Model Code and additional requirements specific to Woollahra Council. The additional provisions have been developed with the assistance of Councillors and staff to help deal with ethical problems that may be encountered during their work at Council or as a representative of Council.
Councillors, employees and delegates of Council
Councillors, members of Council staff and delegates of the Council must comply with the provisions of Council's Code of Conduct. It is the personal responsibility of Council officials to comply with the standards in the Code and regularly review their personal circumstances with this in mind. Council contractors, volunteers and community representatives on Council's sub-committees and working parties are also required to observe the relevant provisions of Council's Code of Conduct.
Failure by a Councillor to comply with an applicable requirement of Council's Code of Conduct constitutes misbehaviour. Failure by a member of staff to comply with Council's Code of Conduct may give rise to disciplinary action.
Current Code of Conduct
Please find below a copy of the current Code of Conduct and accompanying documentation:
The Code of Conduct defines the roles of Councillors and Staff to be:
- Councillors - direct & control affairs of Council, allocation of resources, creation & review of policies, review the performance of Council and determine matters that do not conform with policies.
- Staff - implement decisions of Council, act in accordance with employment responsibilities.
The Accountability and Role Structure(PDF, 552KB) diagram details the break up between Councillors and Staff with respect to reporting and decision making responsibilities.
Previous Code of Conduct
Contractors, consultants and suppliers to Council
Contractors, consultants and suppliers dealing with Council are required to maintain a standard of professional behaviour that promotes confidence and trust in the work of Council within the Municipality.
Council has prepared a Guide for Contractors, Consultants and Suppliers(PDF, 1MB) that advises contractors, consultants and suppliers of Council's high ethical standards, requirements and their obligation to conduct business with Council in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct.
Register of Annual Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests and Other Matters Returns
Councillors and Designated Staff are required to disclose any matters that may involve a conflict of interest between their private, business and/or personal interests, in addition to their council duties. These matters are recorded in a Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests and Other Matters Interests Register maintained by Council.
Volunteers
Volunteering is a great opportunity to contribute to the local community, make new friends, develop new skills and have fun!
Volunteers are required to maintain a standard of professional behaviour that promotes confidence and trust in the work of Council within the Municipality.
A Guide for Volunteers(PDF, 507KB) has been produced to provide an outline of our Code of Conduct requirements and how the Code applies to volunteers.
Community Representatives on Council Sub-Committees and Working Parties
While participating in Council matters, community representatives on sub-committees and working parties are required to maintain the same high standards of professional behaviour that promotes confidence and trust in the work of Council within the Municipality.
Council has prepared a "Code of Conduct - A Guide for Community Representatives" that advises community representatives of the Council's conduct requirements.
A Guide for Community Representatives(PDF, 544KB)