A Guide for Councillors

The Role of Councillors in Municipal Finance Management

Part 2

Councillors cannot be both a referee and a player. In other words, they may not implement as well as oversee implementation: council is accountable to the community the mayor is accountable to council the municipal manager is accountable to the mayor and council. • • • 2.1 Separation of executive and administrative powers The separation of powers is one way of facilitating good governance. This is called “checks and balances”. Councillors oversee the performance of of fi cials, but do not actually get involved in implementing. Of fi cials may provide advice on by-laws, policies, budgets and so on, but can’t actually approve them themselves. Both parties must uphold the law and codes of conduct.

The MFMA ensures that there is a clear division of powers between the elected of fi cials and the administrative staff.

Executive committee

We have legislative power. We have the authority to draw up policies and pass by- laws in our council. The council is made up of: councillors in a formal sitting the mayor the executive committee. • • •

Mayor

Administrative staff

Wehaveadministrative responsibilities. We are required to implement the policies and by-laws passed by Council. Staff include: the municipal manager senior managers other municipal of fi cials. • • •

22

Understanding the Municipal Finance Management Act