Code of Conduct and Disputes

Code of Conduct

All Council volunteers are bound by this Code of Conduct.

As volunteers undertaking activities on Council’s behalf at community and recreation facilities, your group must ensure all volunteers:

  • Act with integrity
  • Demonstrate due diligence
  • Do not attempt to perform volunteer work under the effects of drugs and alcohol
  • Protect the environment during the period they sign on as a volunteer at the facility

As a management group, you must ensure that:

  • Access is available to the entire community and is not denied because of ethnicity, gender, disability, or religion
  • Priority of use should be given to non-profit making community groups and organisations
  • The facility not be aligned with, or advocate / advertise on behalf of, any political party or person(s)
  • Accountability requirements to Council, user groups and general community (i.e. providing minutes, ensuring affected persons are aware of committee meeting details etc.)

Limitation of Power

Your delegated authority does not allow you to make decisions concerning the following:

  • Fixing of charges or fees (the committee may submit recommendations or approval by Council in relation to the fixing of charges and fees for use of the facility under its control), including any policy for exemption from fees and charges
  • Borrowing of any monies
  • The sale, lease, sub-lease or surrender of any land and or other property vested in its care under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993
  • The acceptance of tenders which are required to be called by Council. (The delegated authority may invite and accept quotations for minor works, goods and services covered within the scope of this authority or as agreed with Council)
  • The payment or making of any gift, to its members. This includes the payment of allowances or travelling expenses incurred whilst attending committee meetings
  • The payment of any monies outside the scope of the delegated authority's function
  • The carrying out of any works on or to the facility including alterations, reconstructions, or construction without the prior consent of Council
  • Unreasonably withholding consent for the letting of the facility to any organisation which agrees to comply with and adhere to the rules adopted for use of the facility, providing an acceptable letting period is available
  • Vote monies for expenditure on the works, services or operations of Council

The exercise by volunteers of their power and functions will be subject to such limitations and conditions as may from time to time be imposed by law, specified by resolution of the Council or in writing by the General Manager to the Committee/Association.  The Committee/Association will observe any Rules and Regulations made by the Council, in relation to the facility/function under its management and control.

If at any time the Committee/Association is deemed to be functioning outside the limits of its powers as described herein, all powers may be revoked by written notice to the Committee/Association signed by the General Manager or his/her representative.

Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest arises when your own interest, or those of people close to you, conflict with your obligations to the Council.  For example, a conflict would exist if you had a personal interest that influenced the way you carried out your duties on behalf of Council.

If you have a conflict of interest, or may be perceived to have a conflict of interest in any area of your voluntary work with Council, we ask that you disclose this to us.  Please note that a conflict of interest does not mean that you would be barred from participating in a meeting or activity.  Instead, it allows others to understand your position and prevents criticism of Council activities or decisions at a later date.

Volunteers are often invited to participate in Community Operating Committees or Incorporated Associations because of their specific knowledge, experience, and expertise.  This personal interest is generally well understood and would not need to be disclosed.

However, if the committee you are on makes financial decisions, then potential pecuniary conflicts of interest have to be dealt with in accordance with the Local Government Act.

A pecuniary interest is an interest that a person has in a matter because of a reasonable likelihood or expectation of appreciable financial gain or loss to the person or another person with whom the person is associated. (Section 442 and 443 of the Local Government Act 1993).

If you are unsure whether or not you have a conflict of interest, please contact Council to discuss the matter.

Gifts

Gifts or benefits must not be offered to any Council Official or volunteer, which is designed to gain any advantage for you or the group you may be representing, or which the public could reasonably see as likely to cause that person to depart from his/her proper course of duty.  Similarly, as a volunteer you should not accept gifts or benefits that may appear to gain an advantage.

Token gifts may be given or accepted (token gifts include small items such as a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates) if the gift is not likely to be seen as compromising.

Cash incentives should not be offered to, or accepted by, any volunteer or committee member under any circumstance.

If you are unsure, please contact Council for further advice.

Alcohol and Drugs

It is a Council requirement that you do not carry out your duties for Council whilst under the influence of alcohol or other drugs that could impair your ability or cause danger to the safety of yourself or others.

Complaints and disputes

Please refer any complaint against Council staff, or fellow volunteers acting on behalf of Council, to your Council Management Officer.  Council will investigate the complaint and, if necessary, take appropriate action.

Page Last Updated: 06 Aug 2014