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Governance

 

Local Laws

Under Section 3.12 of the Local Government Act (WA) (CKI) 1995, the Shire is able to make Local Laws considered necessary for the good government of the district. Local Laws are developed to ensure that activities throughout the Shire are regulated, controlled and efficiently managed for the protection and benefit of residents and visitors to the district. This involves the management of a wide range of community, environmental and governance issues. Any contravention of these local laws are enforceable in courts and could potentially lead to prosecution.

According to s3.16 of the Local Government Act (WA) (CKI) 1995, Local laws must be reviewed every eight (8) years. A local law will be considered invalid if it is found to be inconsistent with any state or federal legislation.

Below are all the current local laws that are enforced in the Shire of Cocos Keeling Islands. 

 

Policy

Section 2.7 of the Local Government Act (WA) (CKI) 1995 prescribes in part, that the role of the Council is to ‘determine the local government’s policies’. Council Policies establish an equitable and cohesive approach to decision making and process implementation. Although Council policies are not binding, they reflect current practices and provide guidance across a range of common issues.

The Shire believes that the application of policies should reinforce the principles of transparency of decision making and good governance with all relevant statutory requirements being adhered to. Furthermore, policies should reflect the strategic direction that is set in the Shire’s Strategic Community Plan (2016 -2026).

Unlike local laws, there is no prescribed timeframe for a local government to review its policies. To ensure the Shire continues to improve and promote its best practice, the Shire will endeavour to review the policy manual every second year.

Below is the current Shire of Cocos Keeling Islands Policies.

Policy Manual 2020.pdf

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct provides Council Members, Committee Members and staff of the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands with consistent guidelines for an acceptable standard of professional conduct. It encourages a commitment to ethical and professional behaviour and outlines principles in which responsibilities may be based.
 
The Code is complementary to the principles adopted in the Local Government Act and regulations and addresses in a concise manner, the broader issue of ethical responsibility and encourages greater transparency and accountability within the Shire’s internal management and processes.
 
 

Register of Delegation

The Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands’ Register of Delegations contains details of all delegations to Committees, the Chief Executive Officer and employees made under the Local Government Act 1995 (WA) (CKI) and other relevant legislation. The implementation of delegations allows the Shire to improve the efficiency of its operations whilst ensuring that its policies are applied in a consistent manner.
 
The Register of Delegations is reviewed annually, in accordance with the Act.