Hindmarsh Shire Council has updated its rules for engagement between councillors and staff.
An updated policy, adopted at the council’s latest meeting last week, seeks to provide clarify and protocols around interactions, in accordance with the Local Government Act, to ensure a co-operative and supportive relationship that ensures effective governance and decision-making.
It ensures councillors are provided consistent, co-ordinated, accurate, timely and well-informed advice to help them fulfill their roles; incorporates good governance principles; and supports councillors to conduct themselves with integrity by articulating their different but complementary roles.
It recognises council staff are responsible for the operations and administrative functions of the council, and that councillors are not to direct, unduly influence or pressure staff in any private or public forum or create a perception or promise of preferential or favourable treatment to residents.
