Sign code or leave council
New councillors elected at the October local government election will have to sign a councillor code of conduct within three weeks of election.
Following a review of state government legislation, Baw Baw Shire was required to adopt the amended code of conduct by next month.
Any changes to the code of conduct are required to be endorsed by council within four months of election or four months before an election.
As part of the revised code of conduct, all elected councillors must declare they will abide by the code.
Under the new legislation, the code of conduct must be signed and witnessed by the chief executive officer.
If the councillor fails to do so within three weeks of being elected their position is declared vacant.
Cr Debbie Brown said this was all part of the reforms of the Local Government Act.
She said councillors elected following the October election will be required to abide by the revised code of conduct.
The new council also will be required to review the code of conduct within four months of being elected.
The Act also now provides for an independent arbitration process, mechanisms for resolution and sanctions which councils can apply to address any failure to meet code standards.
“Councils are required to have in place an internal resolution procedure to address conduct that is a breach of the councillor code of conduct.
“The internal resolution process must make clear how allegations to breaches of the code are to be handled.
“This gives councils significantly greater authority to shape and enforce acceptable standards of conduct by their councillors,” the report said.