Local Government Standards Panel

The Local Government Standards Panel was established in 2007 to fulfil two key objectives:

• Administer justice and resolve complaints relatively quickly.
• Provide the local government sector with guidance and benchmarks about acceptable standards of behaviour.

The standards panel has the authority to make binding decisions to resolve allegations of minor misconduct submitted by a local government. It deals with complaints about council members who it is alleged have committed a breach of one or more of the provisions of the Rules of Conduct Regulations. The panel is independent of the Minister for Local Government and the department.

The standards panel also has the jurisdiction to deal with misconduct allegations that relate to conduct at meetings under the provisions of a local government's Standing Orders Local Law. The standards panel has no jurisdiction to deal with complaints made against local government employees.

The following table includes adverse findings of the Local Government Standards Panel for matters relating to the Shire of Northam: