A Guide for Councillors

The Role of Councillors in Municipal Finance Management

Part 1

Improving service delivery Municipalities must provide services and facilities to all ratepayers, residents and visitors to their area. These services will include:

public services or facilities like electricity, water and sanitation services, waste and refuse removal, that are paid for directly by households or provided at a basic level to poor households community services or facilities, that are paid for out of rates and user charges cultural or recreational services or facilities, that are paid for by rates and user charges infrastructure needed to support household services such as sewerage, or that will attract business and investment in the area, for example, street lights. These can be paid for by rates and grants from national government.

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Infrastructure: Infrastructure is needed for the functioning of the community and the provision of services to the people and businesses. It includes roads, water pipes and power lines.

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The MFMA requires that the municipal administration reports on service delivery to council. Council raises any issues with the municipal manager.

WE MAKE THE DECISIONS IN COUNCIL AND THEN FOLLOW UP ON PROGRESS.

AS COUNCILLORS, WE SHOULD NOT INTERFERE DIRECTLY WITH MUNICIPAL STAFF.

16

Understanding the Municipal Finance Management Act