City of Ryde councillors have endorsed a program of actions relating to the management of confidentiality and code of conduct following evidence heard at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) hearings in July.
Whilst the Council recognised there may be a need to address the formal findings of the Commission later this year, these actions aim to enhance corruption prevention measures in the interim.
The councillors also agreed to hold a workshop to discuss the establishment of an independent panel to deal with all development and rezoning applications that are not determined by staff delegation.
City of Ryde Acting General Manager, Danielle Dickson*, said Council complied with all its legislative requirements, but the ICAC hearing had identified some areas of business that should be improved.
“We are acting now, before the hearing concludes, to make those changes.
“Our governance framework is reviewed on a regular basis and these actions, particularly in relation to transparency and accountability, will provide clear directions to Councillors and staff as to their obligations.”
Policies and procedures to be reviewed include:
- management of confidential information
- management of complaints made to councillors in relation to staff
- management of public interest disclosures
- code of conduct – conflict of interest
- procurement process and commercial in confidence
- delegations
- interactions between councillors, staff and the community
- policy framework
- development applications.
Reports on delegation and a review of procurement processes were due to be tabled at a Council meeting in August.
* Danielle Dickson has since resigned from City of Ryde. Roy Newsome has been appointed as Acting General Manager.
