Wollongong City Council Administrators has approved several new policies in preparation for the return of Councillors in September 2011.

Council Administrator Richard Colley said that following the NSW State Government’s recent Local Government (Shellharbour and Wollongong Elections) Act 2011, Council has commenced a review of its policies relating to Councillors and Council meetings.

A revised ‘Code of Conduct for Councillors’, ‘Code of Conduct Complaint Handling’ and ‘Public Access Forum’ Policies will take effect following the election of the new Council. These have been based on the Division of Local Government’s ‘Model Code of Conduct for Councils’, and include revisions based on recommendations from the Independent Commission Against Corruption in areas relating to gifts and benefits, and caucus voting by Councillors.

At the meeting, Council also adopted revised ‘Code of Meeting Practice’ and ‘Payment of Expenses and Provision of Facilities to Lord Mayor and Councillors’ policies. Both policies will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days before being submitted to the July 2011 Council meeting.

“The Administrators have prepared these policies to ensure that an incoming Council has a number of policies that help to the conduct of the Council and the policies will go to improving accountability and transparency,” Mr Colley said. “The policies set the standard of conduct that is expected from Councillors when representing the interests of the community and exercising their civic responsibilities.

“A comprehensive induction program and ongoing professional development program for elected Councillors is also being developed.

“In the lead-up to the election information sessions are planned to provide an overview of Council business for prospective Council candidates.”