THE public has the chance to have its say on Wingecarribee Shire Council's updated gifts and benefits policy.
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Councillor Holly Campbell successfully moved a motion in last week's council meeting to put the revised gifts and benefits policy on public exhibition for 28 days.
After the exhibition period, the matter will be brought back to council for consideration.
Council's manager governance, legal and HR Chris White said the practical changes were minimal.
"The policy still anticipates that any council official and that includes councillors, staff, and volunteers etc, in their role as council officials will not accept gifts or benefits above $50 and that any cash like gifts such as sporting tips, gift cards etc below that $50 will also not be accepted," Mr White said.
"Any gifts below $50 that aren't cash like may be accepted provided they are declared on our gifts and benefits register.
"That register will be audited on an annual basis by council's risk and audit committee.
"Any gift that's received above $50 that can not be reasonably returned will be raffled off at the end of the year and the money donated to charity."
Mr White said in the development of the policy, some of Wollongong Council's procedures were adopted.
The revised gifts and benefits policy was prepared to ensure council had an adequate system in place for councillors and council staff to report any offering of gifts or benefits at work.
The policy was revised to recognise that the conduct of council business could result to gifts and benefits of appreciation being offered to council staff members.
In these circumstances, the gifts must have a token value of under $50 to be accepted.
The revised policy intended to protect staff and councillors from being compromised and to avoid public perception of bias.
Included in the motion was the mention that Chirstmas gifts would be dealt with the same way as any other gift.
"It doesn't distinguish between a Christmas gift and a gift at any other time, all gifts and benefits are treated the same way," Mr White said.
"We have made it very clear to all of our suppliers in our finance system that we don't accept gifts and benefits certainly beyond a $50 value."
