Transparency will be lifted a notch at Central Coast Council, with a team of investigators to review disclosures of interests submitted by councillors and council staff across the state to increase public confidence in the local government sector.
Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman, said investigators from the Office of Local Government would be conducting spot checks of written returns of interests which are required to be completed at all councils.
“Councillors and council staff, including general managers and administrators, are required to declare their interests, including any property they own or interests they have in companies, and whether they are a property developer or associate of a property developer,” Tuckerman said.
“Checks will be conducted randomly after September 30 so councillors and council staff have more than two months to ensure all the information they’ve provided in their return is accurate and complete.”
Tuckerman said it was important members of the public had confidence in their councils and their organisational integrity which this random audit will bolster.
“Our 128 local councils manage $178B in assets and spend more than $12B each year on providing infrastructure, facilities and services to local communities across the State,” she said.
“It’s a huge responsibility and residents should be able to trust the people they’ve elected to council, along with council staff, are being honest and transparent about any interests they may have.”
Source:
Media release, Aug 25
Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman