Improving Accountability, Transparency and Governance
Our Professional Conduct Coordinator (Internal Ombudsman) is helping Council improve its transparency, accountability and governance.
The Professional Conduct Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and undertaking independent investigations into complaints against Council staff and services in the areas of:
- corrupt conduct
- maladministration
- serious waste of public funds
This appointment is one of the many changes Council has made to improve its systems, procedures and policies following the 2008 Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Hearing. The employment of a Professional Conduct Coordinator has been in place at Council since September 2008.
If you have concerns about suspected unethical, fraudulent or corrupt behaviour, you should contact Council's Professional Conduct Coordinator or the ICAC.
Council's Professional Conduct Coordinator can be contacted by calling (02) 4227 7111 or emailing pcc@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
Specifics of the Professional Conduct Coordinator Role
The PCC determines and allocates complaints to the appropriate person or body for investigation. This includes ensuring the complaints are referred to the appropriate statutory body, such as ICAC, NSW Ombudsman, Division of Local Government or NSW Police. The PCC tables reports on the issues being investigated to Council's Corporate Governance Committee. This committee considers the reports in a closed session. Some of the recommendations are reported to the committee in open session and some of the information in the report is protected disclosure and therefore confidential. The PCC reports on the breaches of the GIPA Act and is also the Public Interest Disclosures Officer. The Public Interest Disclosures Officer works within the provisions of the Privacy legislation.
The recommendations of Professional Conduct Coordinator about changes required on systemic issues or process or policy changes are provided to the relevant Director or Manager, Executive Management Committee, Audit Committee or Corporate Governance Committee.
Expression of Interest – Appointment to Panel of Conduct Investigators
Council wishes to appoint a Panel of suitably qualified and experienced persons to act as Conduct Investigators to undertake investigations and to report to Council the findings and recommendations in relation to:
• Complaints alleging breaches of Council’s Code of Conduct, Enterprise Agreement and other workplace policies by staff of Council.
• Potential fraud relating to workers compensation claims of Council staff
Investigators must be independent of Council and have extensive experience in the conduct of workplace investigations including claims of bullying and harassment and corrupt conduct.
Council’s Code of Conduct for Staff is available on Council’s website at: www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au
As the need arises, Council will appoint an investigator from its Panel of Conduct Investigators, on a fee for service basis.
Written expressions of interest from persons wishing to be appointed to Council’s Panel of Conduct Investigators, including relevant qualifications and experience and a proposed fee schedule, are invited to be submitted to the General Manager, Locked Bag 8821, Wollongong DC NSW 2500, or by email to pweber@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
by 5pm on 2 December 2011.
Enquiries may be made to Council’s Peter Weber on telephone 4227 7035.