Skip to main content
Governance Rules
Governance Rules Framework
Chapter one of the Governance Rules
  1. Context

    These Rules should be read in the context of and in conjunction with:

    2. 1.1 the overarching governance principles specified in section 9(2) of the Act; and
    1.2 the following documents approved by Council:
    1.2.1 Transparency Policy;
    1.2.2 Community Engagement Policy; and
    1.2.3 Public Question and Submission Time Policy.
  2. Decision Making
    3. 2.1 In any matter in which a decision must be made by Council (including persons acting with the delegated authority of Council) Council must consider the matter and make a decision:
    2.1.1 fairly by giving consideration and making a decision which is balanced ethical and impartial; and
    2.1.2 on the merits free from favouritism or self-interest and without regard to irrelevant or unauthorised considerations
    2.2 Council must when making any decision to which the principles of natural justice apply adhere to the principles of natural justice (including without limitation ensuring that any person whose rights will be directly affected by a decision of Council is entitled to communicate their views and have their interests considered).
    2.3 Without limiting anything in paragraph 2.2:
    2.3.1 before making a decision that will directly affect the rights of a person Council (including any person acting with the delegated authority of Council) must identify the person or persons whose rights will be directly affected give notice of the decision which Council must make and ensure that such person or persons have an opportunity to communicate their views and have their interests considered before the decision is made;
    2.3.2 if a report to be considered at a Council meeting concerns subject-matter which will directly affect the rights of a person or persons the Report must record whether the person has or persons have been provided with an opportunity to communicate their views and have their interests considered;
    2.3.3 if a report to be considered at a Delegated Committee meeting concerns subject-matter which will directly affect the rights of a person or persons the Report must record whether the person has or persons have been provided with an opportunity to communicate their views and have their interests considered; and
    2.3.4 if a City officer proposes to make a decision under delegation and that decision will directly affect the rights of a person or persons the City officer must when making that decision complete a Delegate Report that records that notice of the decision to be made was given to the person or persons and such person or persons were provided with an opportunity to communicate their views and their interests considered.