18-27 – Review of Privacy Code of Practice for Local Government
The Code was gazetted on 1 July 2000. The Code has the effect of modifying Part 6 (the public register provisions) of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and the application of the Information Protection Principles as they apply to local government.
18-26 – Commencement of amendments to the Companion Animals Act 1998 and a new Companion Animals Regulation 2018
On 31 August 2018 amendments to the Companion Animals Act 1998 commenced, and the Companion Animals Regulation 2018 wholly replaced the former Companion Animals Regulation 2008. In addition, penalties for offences relating to assistance animals increased on 1 July 2018.
18-23 – Mayoral Elections
Under section 230(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, mayors elected by councillors now hold office for 2 years.
18-24 – Status of the new Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW and Procedures
The new 2018 Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW (the Model Code) and Procedures for the Administration of the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW (Procedures) have been finalised and will soon be prescribed by the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005.
18-25 – Status of the new Councillor Induction and Professional Development Guidelines
Amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) by the Local Government Amendment (Governance and Planning) Act 2016 in August 2016 saw the inclusion in the prescribed role of councillors under section 232 a responsibility “to make all reasonable efforts to acquire and maintain the skills necessary to perform the role of a councillor”.
18-22 – Release of the Charter for Public Participation – a guide to assist agencies and promote citizen engagement
The NSW Information and Privacy Commission has released its Charter for Public Participation – a guide to assist agencies and promote citizen engagement (the Charter). The Charter aims to assist NSW agencies to seek effective public input into the development and delivery of policies and services.
18-21 – 2018-19 Calendar of Compliance and Reporting Requirements
The 2018-19 Calendar of Compliance and Reporting Requirements is now available for councils. Councils should use the Calendar to assist in planning strategic and operational tasks for 2018-19.
18-20 – Guidance to councils on transitioning to the new Australian Accounting Standards
The Office of Local Government has prepared a Guidance Paper, which provides councils with specific direction on adopting the new standards.Further guidance material and information on the new standards will be provided in 2018-19.
18-19 – Changes relating to the publication of notices
The NSW Parliament has passed the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2018, which contains a number of amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act).
18-18 – 2018/19 Determination of the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal
The Local Government Remuneration Tribunal (the Tribunal) has determined an increase of 2.5% to mayoral and councillor fees for the 2018/19 financial year, with effect from 1 July 2018. The Tribunal also reviewed the criteria that apply to the categories of councils and the allocation of councils into those categories. The categories enable the Tribunal to determine the maximum and minimum amounts of fees to be paid to mayors and councillors in each of the categories.