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                    Code of Conduct and Protocol

                    The Local Government Act 2020 (the Act) requires councils to develop and approve a Councillor Code of Conduct within four months after each general election. A council may choose to amend the Councillor Code of Conduct any time during its term.
                    The Councillor Code of Conduct will be the subject of continual review and improvement as circumstances warrant and in line with contemporary best practice.

                    Councillor conduct

                    At its meeting on 15 December 2020, the Melbourne City Council adopted a revised Councillor Code of Conduct. The code is designed to:

                    • assist Councillors in maintaining the highest standards of conduct and behaviour as well as provide a means for dealing with problems that they may encounter to ensure a safe work environment
                    • attract the highest level of confidence from the community and Council’s stakeholders
                    • assist the Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor and Councillors to discharge the responsibilities of their public office appropriately
                    • support good working relationships between Councillors, and between Councillors and management.

                    In addition to setting out the Councillor Conduct Principles, the Code also outlines:

                    • City of Melbourne values
                    • other conduct definitions under the Act, such as those relating to improper direction, breach of confidentiality and conflict of interest
                    • standards of respectful conduct
                    • how a concern regarding Councillor conduct may be reported and resolved.

                    The policies incorporated in the Councillor Code of Conduct include the:

                    • Councillor Occupational Health and Safety Policy
                    • Councillor Respectful Conduct Policy
                    • Councillor Fitness to Carry Out Duty Policy.

                    Where of members the public would like to raise a complaint against a Councillor for a possible breach or offence under the Act or this Councillor Code of Conduct, this may be directed to the Chief Municipal Inspector or the City of Melbourne Principal Conduct Officer.

                    Councillor Protocol

                    In addition to a Councillor Code of Conduct, the Council has put in place a set of protocols that further define roles and respons​ibilities of Councillors and Council officers in areas relating to decision-making structures and city representation roles.

                    The Protocol provides clarity and guidance on areas such as the role and support provided to a Portfolio Lead, media, spokesperson and other city representation roles. It also provides guidance on preparation of reports for Committee and Council.

                    Employee conduct

                    The code of conduct sets the acceptable standards of behaviour for the way we work at the City of Melbourne.

                    This code applies to everyone who works at City of Melbourne, ‘all employees’ including:

                    • permanent, casual and fixed term employees
                    • executives
                    • contractors and consultants
                    • agency staff
                    • volunteers.

                    The code applies to all our interactions, including whenever a person is identified as an employee or representative of City of Melbourne.

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