This Policy enables the reasonable and appropriate reimbursement of expenses and provision of facilities to Councillors to help them undertake their civic duties.
It ensures accountability and transparency, and seeks to align Councillor expenses and facilities with community expectations. Councillors must not obtain private or political benefit from any expense or facility provided under this Policy.
The draft Policy sets out the amounts Council will pay for specific expenses and facilities. Expenses not explicitly addressed in this Policy will not be paid or reimbursed.
The Policy has been prepared in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) and Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 (the Regulation), complies with the Office of Local Government (OLG)’s Guidelines for the Payment of Expenses and Provision of Facilities to Mayors and Councillors in NSW and is an adaptation of the OLG’s Model Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy.
The Draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy is on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 7 March – 4 April 2022 and can be viewed below.
Make a submission
Any person may make a written submission in relation to the draft Policy. Any views expressed in written submissions will be considered by Council before a final draft Policy is put to Council for adoption.
Submissions will be accepted up to 42 days from the date on which the draft Policy is placed on public exhibition. Submissions are therefore due by 5pm Monday 18 April 2022. All submissions should address the General Manager, be titled “Draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy” and be submitted via:
Privacy
Submissions are NOT kept confidential. Council releases submissions when a request is made in accordance with privacy laws and the relevant provisions under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.
When a submission is released by law, Council routinely withholds contact numbers, email addresses and signatures. Should you wish for all personal details or any information that may identify you to be withheld from the public, please advise Council of this in your submission.
Any enquiries should be directed to Council’s Governance Team via phone on 02 4993 4100 or email at governance@cessnock.nsw.gov.au.