Register a Gift
The way Council staff respond to offers of gifts, benefits and hospitality is critical to maintaining the trust of those we serve. Staff need to act in a manner that allows the community, clients, businesses and other stakeholders to feel confident that as a Council we perform our public duties without favouritism or bias, or for personal gain.
All gifts whether accepted or declined, must be declared and submitted to the Governance department and included in the Gifts Register. This is to ensure that the combined total of offers made from a single source in the last five years does not exceed the $500 threshold prescribed in the Local Government Act 2020. If multiple gifts are received from a person, they must be treated as a single gift with an aggregate value.
Once the $500 threshold has been reach by a staff member as a result of receiving gifts from a single source, a conflict of interest form must be completed and submitted to Governance in accordance with Council’s Code of Conduct Staff and Council’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy.
How do I declare this?
To declare a conflict of interest, please complete the form below:
- Disclosure of Conflict of Interest form (select “indirect interest due to receipt of an applicable gift”)
To declare a gift please use the online form linked below:
Example
Smith and Smith Developers have offered AFL Grand Final tickets in a corporate box to a staff member who is also the Planner responsible for granting a Planning Permit to the same developer.
If accepted a Register of Gifts and Other Considerations form would need to be completed in addition to a Disclosure of Conflict of Interest Officer form. This would be an ‘indirect interest due to receipt of an applicable gift’.
Other considerations
Note: A principle that applies to every person in public office is that they should avoid putting themselves in positions which are likely to create a ‘conflict of interest’. In this instance the staff member should decline the offer.
Once completed both forms must be forwarded to Governance to be added to the register.
Contact Governance or email Governance@cgd.vic.gov.au for any queries.
Further information
Register Travel
Council is required by statute to maintain a Travel Register of interstate and overseas travel by Officers and Councillors.
Consult Council's Travel Policy along with procedures which need to be carried out prior to travel being undertaken.
Complete the Interstate and International Travel Form - Councillors and Staff - 160KB
Key points:
- Interstate travel undertaken by staff must be approved by your Director or CEO.
- Overseas travel must be approved prior to travel by Council by way of a Council report to be adopted at a Council Meeting.
- Notice of intention to travel interstate or overseas should be given to Governance as soon as approved using the form below and noting on the form that it is an estimate of future travel.
- Upon completion of travel, an accurate and detailed breakdown of costs, with supporting documentation and copies of receipts must be forwarded to Governance as soon as possible to enable the register to be kept up-to-date. (Separate claims for reimbursement must be sent to Finance).
- Please note, information from these forms is included in Council's Travel Register which is a public document under Council’s Public Transparency Policy.