The Local Government Act 1993, stipulates that Councils are to adopt a policy concerning the payment of expenses and provision of facilities for Councillors.

The Office of Local Government (OLG) has recently circulated a better practice Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy template for use by NSW Councils. Accordingly, Council has undertaken a review of its current policy. The draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy has been based on the OLG template, and suitably amended to reflect local administrative requirements.

The Policy recognises that the reasonable and appropriate reimbursement of expenses and provision of facilities enables Councillors to fulfil their civic duties. Importantly, the draft Policy ensures accountability and transparency in the administration of such expenses and facilities by establishing clear monetary limits for expenditure and reimbursement. Furthermore, expenses not explicitly addressed in the policy will not be paid or reimbursed.

In keeping with community expectations, and to ensure transparency in its implementation, Council commits to reporting of expenses and facilities to Councillors, as well as the inclusion of regular auditing of expenses under this Policy in Council’s Audit Plan.

Making a submission

If you wish to comment on the documents, you will need to make a written submission to:

• The Interim General Manager, Canterbury-Bankstown Council, PO Box 8, Bankstown NSW 1885, or
• Online at haveyoursay.cbcity.nsw.gov.au

Submissions close on Tuesday 22 August 2017.

Public Exhibition of Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy

The closing date for submission is Tuesday 22 August 2017. You can make a submission by using the online facility here.

Alternatively you can write to: The Interim General Manager, Canterbury-Bankstown Council, PO Box 8, Bankstown NSW 1885.

Where required, a Political Donations and Gift Disclosure Statement must accompany the submission. You can obtain a copy of the statement and guidelines at Council’s Customer Service Centre or the Department of Planning & Environment at www.planning.nsw.gov.au

Please note that all submissions received by Council are not confidential and may be made available to the public through the GIPA Act 2009. If you wish to be contacted prior to the release of your submission, please indicate ‘in confidence’ in your submissions.

Consultation has concluded