The Role of Mayor & Councillors

Councillors are empowered to exercise direction and control when allocating the Council's resources during the four year Delivery Program preparation. They also play a key role in the creation and review of the Council's policies and objectives and the criteria relating to the exercises of the Council's regulatory functions.

The role of a Councillor is, as a member of the governing body of the Council:

• To direct and control the affairs of the Council in accordance with the Local Government Act, 1993;
• To participate in the optimum allocation of the Council's resources for the benefit of the area;
• To play a key role in the creation and review of the Council's policies and objectives and criteria relating to the exercise of Council's regulatory functions;
• To review the performance of the Council and its delivery of services in relation to Council's Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, Operational Plan and revenue policies.

The role of a Councillor is, as an elected person:

•  To represent the interests of the residents and ratepayers;
•  To provide leadership and guidance to the community;
•  To facilitate communication between the community and the Council.

The Mayor is elected by the Councillors as the Civic Leader and acts as a public spokesperson on matters of policy.  The Mayor is also the link between Council and Management and plays a general supervisory role over the operations of the Council.

Under the Local Government Act, the Mayor:

• Exercises the functions of Council;
• Chairs meetings;
• Carries out civic and ceremonial functions.