Section 355 Committees
Under Section 355 of the Local Government Act, councils have the authority to delegate certain functions to a committee of council, commonly known as Section 355 Management Committees.
In Bellingen Shire Council, there is a significant number of community halls and recreation reserves. Recognising the substantial responsibility of managing these facilities, the Council has entrusted the management to members of the local community who actively utilise these venues.
Council is fortunate to have dedicated community volunteers who form these S355 committees of management. Their invaluable contributions ensure the continued operation and accessibility of these halls and reserves to the public. These committees bear the day-to-day responsibility for the management of the facilities, allowing for their continued use and enjoyment by the community.
View the full list of Council Committee's including Section 355 Committee's here: Committees
Support
Council is committed to supporting committees in the work that they do. The following information and resources will assist committees in their role managing and operating community halls and facilities in the best possible way.
For further information and requests for assistance, please contact Council's Community Partnerships Team on 6655 7300.
Committee Resources
Committee membership
To register your interest in becoming a Section 355 Committee member, visit our Becoming a Volunteer page and complete and submit the online application form.
View the full list of current committee's here
Induction materials
This section provides committee members with the core information and resources needed to understand their responsibilities and operate effectively on behalf of Council.
S355 Committee Guidelines Manual
These guidelines provide a framework for the operation of s355 committees, covering roles and responsibilities, governance, decision-making, meeting procedures, accountability, and good conduct. They help ensure the committee operates fairly, transparently, and in the best interest of the community.
Documents
S355-Committee-Guidelines-Manual-Adopted-25-July-2018.pdf(PDF, 525KB)
Summary-of-Office-Bearer-Positions.pdf(PDF, 103KB)
Code of Conduct
All members of Section 355 Committees are required to comply with Council’s Code of Conduct, ensuring high standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical behaviour.
Key expectations:
- Acting in the best interests of Council and the community
- Managing conflicts of interest appropriately
- Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information
- Using Council resources responsibly
- Treating other members, staff, and community with respect
Documents:
Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct Statement of Acknowledgment
Child Safe Code of Conduct
The Child Safe Code of Conduct sets out the behaviours expected when interacting with children, helping to prevent harm and ensure a safe, respectful environment for all.
Child Safe Code of Conduct
Child Safe Statement of Acknowledgment
Work Health & Safety Induction
All Section 355 Committee members are required to complete the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Induction Presentation. This induction provides essential guidance on safe practices, risk management, and your responsibilities while using or managing council facilities, helping to keep both members and the community safe.
WHS Induction Presentation(PDF, 1MB)
Policies and Codes
Volunteer Policy
Section 355 Committee members are considered valued volunteers. Council’s Volunteer Policy outlines the rights, responsibilities, and expectations for all volunteers, ensuring a safe, fair, and supportive environment while contributing to the community.
Volunteer_Policy.pdf(PDF, 262KB)
Social Media Policy
Section 355 Committee members may engage with the community online, but must follow Council’s Social Media Policy. This policy provides guidance on responsible, respectful, and professional use of social media when representing Council or discussing council-managed facilities.
Social Media Policy
Procurement Policy
Section 355 Committees must follow Council’s Procurement Policy when purchasing goods or services for council-managed facilities. The policy ensures transparency, value for money, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Key considerations
- Up to $10,000: Minimum 1 quote required (verbal or written)
- $10,000 – $50,000: Minimum 2 documented written quotes required
- $50,000 – $250,000 Formal Request for Quotation (RFQ) Minimum 3 documented written quotes required
For more information about Council's procurement policy including information about consultants and suppliers visit our Council's procurement policies page
Procurement Policy
Public Interest Disclosure (PID) Policy
This policy lets people safely report wrongdoing or unethical behavior in the organisation. Reports are handled fairly, confidentially, and according to the law, helping keep Council honest and accountable.
Public Interest Disclosure (PID) Policy
Forms and Templates
Sample Templates
To help Section 355 Committees run meetings efficiently and manage their responsibilities effectively, Council provides sample templates such as meeting agendas, minutes, and standard procedures. These templates offer a practical framework for documenting decisions, maintaining transparency, and ensuring meetings are organised and compliant with Council requirements.
Sample-Meeting-Procedure.pdf(PDF, 107KB)
Sample-Minutes.pdf(PDF, 93KB)
Sample-User-Agreement.pdf(PDF, 111KB)
Sample-Key-Register.pdf(PDF, 65KB)
Sample-AGM-Agenda.pdf(PDF, 57KB)
Forms
Property Owners Consent Form
If a Section 355 Committee wants to install, update, or make any changes to a Council-owned facility, a Property Owner’s Consent Form must be completed and submitted for approval. This ensures work is authorised, safe, and compliant with Council standards, while also allowing Council to update its asset records and keep track of changes to community facilities.
Property-Owners-Consent-application.pdf(PDF, 207KB)
Hall Maintenance Checklist
Regular inspections are an essential part of keeping our community halls safe, functional, and welcoming. This Hall Maintenance Checklist helps Section 355 Committees identify issues early, prevent small problems from becoming costly repairs, and ensure our facilities remain compliant with council standards. By completing this checklist routinely, committees play a key role in maintaining the longevity and safety of these valued community assets.
Hall-Maintenance-Checklist-and-Report.pdf(PDF, 325KB)
Grants
There are numerous grant opportunities each year that are available to S355 committees, sporting groups and museums to assist in the maintenance and improvement of facilities or related events and projects.
If you are applying for a grant via an external funding opportunity, you MUST advise Council of your intention to submit a grant application. In the first instance, please contact the Group Leader Technical Services at Council to discuss your proposal.
In addition, a Property Owners Consent Application Form must be completed for any grant applications that are to be submitted by a committee or user group to seek Council approval for proposed works.
A Development Application (DA) may also be required depending on the nature of the works. Council can assist with applications and can provide letters of support, assist with quotes, budget, working out priority areas and can advise on whether a DA is required.
Grant Application Help and Resources
Council's Community Development Officer provides information on available funding through an email distribution list. To be added to this list, please contact our Community Partnerships Team on 6655 7300.
There are also a number of resources and tools that can assist you with the grants process. Go to the Grant application help and resources page
Additional Resources
Grants Factsheet(PDF, 205KB)
Grants Information and Tips for 355 Committees(PDF, 228KB)
Property Owners Consent Application Form(PDF, 107KB)
Reporting and Communication
Reporting a Maintenance Issue
If you notice a maintenance issue at a Council-managed facility under your committee’s care, please report it as soon as possible using one of the following methods:
- Submit a request or report an issue through Council’s online form: How can we Help?
- Contact Council’s Customer Service Team to lodge a maintenance request directly with staff: Call 6655 7300
- Emergency or Safety Hazards If the issue poses an immediate risk to public safety (e.g., exposed wiring, structural failure, flooding), contact Council immediately via the emergency after-hours number.
What Happens After You Report an Issue?
Once a maintenance request is lodged:
- Council logs the issue and assigns it to the appropriate team.
- Council staff assess the urgency based on safety, impact, and operational needs.
- Repairs or follow-up actions are scheduled, and the committee will be notified if further information is required.
We appreciate the valuable contribution our Section 355 Committees make. Your active role in reporting maintenance issues helps Council deliver safe, reliable, and well-maintained community facilities for everyone.
Incident Report Form
This form is used to record any accidents, injuries, near misses, or unusual events. It helps ensure the incident is documented, investigated, and addressed promptly to improve safety and prevent future occurrences. Incident-Report-Form.pdf
Incident-Report-Form.pdf(PDF, 135KB)
Council Contacts
Community Planning Officer - Your main contact
The Community Planning Officer is the primary contact for all committee-related questions. They provide guidance, support, and information to help committees operate effectively and connect with the community.
- Contact: Adelin Moir
- Phone: 6655 7300
- Email: council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au
Governance:
- Email: governance@bellingen.nsw.gov.au