Council committed to transparency and good governance

Published on 27 April 2021

Frankston City Councillors have approved two important documents highlighting their commitment to good governance and respectful, factual dialogue.

Councillors recently voted to approve both the Communications Policy 2021 – 2024 and the Councillor Gift Policy.

Mayor Kris Bolam said: “Council is completely dedicated to exemplary leadership and governance in the best interests of Frankston City residents and ratepayers and these policies highlight that commitment.”

The Communications Policy 2021 – 2024 was adopted after being placed on public exhibition for four weeks and debated thoroughly by Councillors.

Mayor Bolam said the new policy was significantly simplified and streamlined compared to the previous policy – hence making it easier to understand and interpret.

The Mayor stressed that the policy was not designed to curtail free speech, but rather ensure that factual messages were conveyed on social media platforms.

“We need to get our presence right in the social media landscape. It’s about getting the right message out – the factual message,” Mayor Bolam said.

The Mayor noted that the policy has been strengthened in areas including the use of social media by Councillors, engaging Councillors and Council officers in media opportunities and the ability to promote community and private business in media opportunities that bring marketing and tourism benefit to Frankston City.

South Ward Cr Brad Hill added that respecting requirements in the policy serves to enhance the ability of Councillors to work together as a functional and cohesive Council.

He said this in turn minimises the risk of the Council becoming involved in costly and distracting Councillor Conduct disputes.

Councillors also voted to adopt the Councillor Gift Policy following a four week public exhibition of the policy.

Key changes to the policy were made following public feedback including the addition of specific references to multiple gifts offered by the same person, company or body; the addition of a provision to publish a quarterly extract of the Councillor Gifts Register on Council’s website; and lowering the threshold for the requirement to complete a gift declaration from $150 to $50.

Mayor Bolam said: “Council is committed to the principles of transparency, accountability and good governance.

“In line with this, the policy provides clear guidance to Councillors about receiving or being offered gifts in connection with their role as a Councillor and sets out a transparent process for dealing with any offers of gifts,” the Mayor said.

For more information, please visit www.frankston.vic.gov.au