Policies
Policies are determined by Council and may be amended or waived according to circumstances. This power is conveyed to Council in section 2.7(2)(b) of the Local Government Act 1995. Policies cannot be made in relation to those powers and duties given directly to the CEO by the Act.
The objectives of the Council's Policy Manual are:
- to provide Council with a formal written record of all policy decisions;
- to provide the staff with clear direction to enable them to respond to issues and act in accordance with Council’s general direction;
- to enable Councillors to adequately handle enquiries from electors without undue reference to the staff or the Shire;
- to enable Council to maintain a continual review of Council policy decisions and to ensure they are in keeping with community expectations, current trends and circumstances;
- to enable electors to obtain immediate advice on matters of Council Policy.
- Policies are to relate to issues of an on-going nature; policy decisions on single issues are not to be recorded in the manual.
Policies should not be confused with management practices or operational procedures, which are determined by the CEO, as a mechanism for good management, and implementation of council policies. Council will conduct a complete review of all policies at least every three years.
A copy of the Policy Manual, together with details of variations as they occur, shall be distributed to all Councillors and appropriate staff. The manuals are to remain the property of the Shire.
Changes to Council Policy shall be made only on
- The outcome of the Annual Review or
- An agenda item clearly setting out details of the proposed amendment
Users should be mindful of the fact that, in simple terms:
- Policy provides what can be done;
- Procedures provide for how to do it;
- Delegation provides for who can do it.
It is important to note that the Shire’s adopted policies have been made to facilitate:
- Consistency and equity in decision making;
- Promptness in responding to customer needs; and
- Operational efficiency.
Definitions
Policy: A principle or value which represents Council’s view on a matter and determines the way in which a matter is dealt with.
Policies will generally only be developed if they will further the achievement of the Shire’s strategic goals or contribute to the fulfilment of mandatory obligations. They are intended to give guidance to staff on what is permissible when dealing with certain matters. They guide the discretionary part of Council’s decision making and form an essential step in the delegation of the Shire’s powers and duties.
Management Practice: A series of actions conducted in a certain order or manner to perform a task.
Management practices represent the strategies and actions by which a policy is implemented and may detail the steps and processes to be observed by staff.
Management practices are a function of management and are subject to review at any time according to circumstances, to ensure that policies are being implemented in a correct, efficient and effective manner.
Links to the policy are below:
ADMINISTRATION
Complete Policy Manual for 2022
A.01 Senior Employees
A.02 Deputy Chief Executive Officer - Authority to Act
A.03 Superannuation
A.04 Bushfire Control - Operational Issues
A.05 Shire Vehicles - Private Use
A.06 Advertising - Statutory and General
A.07 Shire Facilities Hire - Exempt Groups
A.08 Maintenance of Policy Manual
A.09 Use of Common Seal and the Signatories for Contract Execution
A.10 Leave - Christmas Period
A.11 Leave - Upper Blackwood Show
A.12 Public Interest Disclosure
A.13 - Records Management
A.14 Email Policy
A.15 Boyup Brook Medical Service - Use of Consulting Rooms
A.16 - Occupational Safety & Health Policy
A.17 - Children in the Workplace
A.18 Smoke Free Workplace Policy
A.19 Surveillance Cameras
A.20 Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Management Planning
A.21 Staff Establishment Levels
A.22 Recruitment and Selection
BUILDING
B.01 Building Permit Fees
B.02 Building Permits - Kerb Deposit
B.03 Building Approvals - Variations of "R" Codes
B.04 Building Stormwater Drainage
B.05 Building with Bush Timber
B.06 Building Application - Land without Legal Access
B.07 Sub-Standard Buildings
B.08 Resited Transportable Residence
B.09 Buildings - Set out by Licensed Surveyor
B.10 Building Materials Standards in Industrial and Light Industrial Areas
B.11 Wood Encouragement Policy
FINANCE
F.01 Investments and Surplus Funds
F.02 Guidelines for Community Grants
F.03 Purchasing Policy
F.04 Authority to Make Payments
F.05 Use of Credit Cards
F.06 Sundry Debt (Other than Rates) Management
F.07 Asset Management Policy
F.08 Risk Management
F.09 Related Party Disclosure
F.10 Rating Strategy
F.11 Guidelines for Community and Commercial Lease Negotiations Policy
F.12 Regional Price Preference
F.13 Vetting Policy
F.14 Financial Hardship Policy
MEMBERS
M.01 Seminars, Conferences and Training
M.02 Public Relations
M.03 Council Meeting Dates
M.04 Council Chambers - Use of
M.05 Councillors - Expenses Reimbursements and Loss of Earnings
M.06 Tape Recordings of Council
M.07 Well Wishes from the Council
M.08 Meetings of Council - Guest Speakers
M.09 Sandakan Relationship
M.10 Councillors Telecommunications and Information Technology Allowance Policy
M.11 Shire of Boyup Brook Councillor Record Keeping
M.12 Support for Community Seniors Christmas Lunch
M.13 Social Media
M.14 Elected Members Continuing Professional Development
M.15 Council Agenda Briefing and Strategic/Concept forum
M.16 Attendance at Events
PLANNING
P.01 Landscaping Provisions - Commercial and Industrial Buildings
P.02 Subdivisions - Drain and Fill Conditions
P.03 Subdivisions and Amalgamation
P.04 Outbuildings
P.05 Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
P.06 Farm Chalets
P.07 Feedlots Animal Husbandry - Intensive
P.08 Naming New Roads
P.09 Extractive Industry Policy
P.10 Fire
P.11 Container Deposit Scheme Infrastructure
WORKS
W.01 Material on Shire Reserves
W.02 Preservation of Gazetted Roads
W.03 Roadside Burning Policy
W.04 Private Works
W.05 Grading
W.06 Road Verge Development Criteria
W.07 Road Contribution
W.08 Crossovers
W.09 Road Works/Fire Prevention
W.10 Shire Equipment - Outside Use
W.11 Road Contributions - Other than situations covered in Policy W.07
W.12 Movement of Stock on Shire Controlled Roads
W.13 Connection of Private Landholders Stormwater into Councils Stormwater Drainage System
W.14 Weed Control in and on Shire Controlled reserved by organisations other than the Shire of Boyup Brook
W.15 Changing of Fees for Heavy Haulage (RAV) Permission Letters
W.16 Acquisition of Construction and Maintenance Materials
OTHER
O.01 Reception and Functions
O.02 Recreation Grounds - Additional and Removal of Fixtures
O.03 Tourism and Area Promotion Policy
O.04 Insurances - Professional Indemnity - Use of Disclaimers
O.05 Complaints Against Third Parties
O.06 Temporary Toilets
O.07 Temporary Accommodation - Owner Builder
O.08 Temporary Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds
O.09 Recreation Grounds and Parks - Use of
O.10 School Bus Bays Application Criteria
O.11 Annual Award - Process
O.12 Event Management and Approval Process Guidelines
O.13 Single Use Plastics
O.14 Community Consultation