Yarra Ranges Shire Council has underwritten its commitment to fair and honest, customer-oriented Local Government by producing a code of conduct for all its employees.
Last year, the Victorian Local Government Board recommended a code of conduct be drawn up for elected councillors but Yarra Ranges has gone much further. The code, initiated by Stephen O’Kane, Corporate Manager Business Development, provides guidelines to achieve integrity, probity and accountability.
The Yarra Ranges Code of Conduct explains matters such as declarations of pecuniary interest, conflicts of interest and disclosure and laying down guidelines for customer and supplier relations. It describes proper procedure when engaging consultants, in dealing with Shire property or making contractual arrangements.
This document outlines minimum standards of behaviour and provides guidance to staff. “It covers values intrinsic to proper conduct and highlights actions likely to conflict with those values,” Stephen O’Kane said.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges regards this code as an important commitment to best practice, as well as its commitment to customer service, market testing and customer guarantees. It applies equally to senior management and junior officers, providing a uniform understanding for all staff members who may have been raised on different sets of values.
The code has been circulated to all district offices in the Shire and requests for copies have been received from public and private sector organisations throughout Australia.
For further information contact Stephen O’Kane, telephone (03) 9735 8333.
