Revised Code of Conduct adopted

3 March 2020 - Media release

Campaspe Shire Council adopted a revised Councillor Code of Conduct at a special meeting this morning. (Note: 3 March)

Mayor, Cr Adrian Weston, said all Victorian councils are required to have a Code of Conduct and all Councillors must make a declaration that they will abide by the code. The code was last updated in February 2017.

“A review of the code has been undertaken and a number of amendments have been made to reflect changes to the current policy environment of Council and to clarify requirements for Councillors,” Cr Weston said.

“Given that we are not too far away from the election period, now is the right time to improve our processes so that they are available for the new Council.”

“We have been working with the code during our term and a number of improvements have been identified. The review has given us the opportunity to strengthen the dispute resolution process and clarify a number of areas.”

The changes include:

Expanding the confidential information clause to include complaints made under the code’s internal dispute resolution procedure. Updating the communications clause to reflect the Mayor as the principal spokesperson of Council in relation to Council decisions, policies and projects, and the Chief Executive Officer as the principal spokesperson of the organisation. Updating the conflict of interest procedures and align the wording with the Local Government Act. Updating the dispute resolution clause to reflect the role of the Mayor in providing a leadership and facilitation role in the management of disputes amongst Councillors. Updating references to current policies and legislation.

“With the code now adopted, all Councillors will sign a declaration acknowledging they will abide by it,” the Mayor added.

The revised Code of Conduct is available on Council’s website.