Council to be non-political

INTEGRITY, professionalism and non-political representation are the three trademark behaviours civic leaders say they will commit to after they adopted their councillor code of conduct.
Casey councillors last week approved the draft councillor code of conduct they were required to develop within 12 months of council elections.
Residents opted for fresh faces when they voted in seven new councillors at last year’s elections. The previous council was riddled with bickering and controversy and current mayor Geoff Ablett’s promise was to regain the trust of residents.
Edrington Ward councillor Simon Curtis said the code of conduct was important given the integrity of the previous council was at an all-time low.
The code of conduct that councillors will sign includes the statement that they will be committed to working together constructively as a team, take into account the diverse needs of the community, provide leadership, maintain the viability of council by ensuring resources are managed in a responsible manner, avoid conflicts and act honestly.
The councillors agreed to demonstrate non-political representation. Earlier this year two Casey councillors left their jobs at local MPs’ offices in the aftermath of the Brimbank council controversy.