A Guide for Councillors

Part 2 Understanding the Municipal Finance Management Act

Roles and responsibilities in a municipality Councillors should be mindful that their role is to make decisions related to policy or strategy and not to become involved in the day-to-day running of the municipality. Councillor’s responsibilities also extend to ensuring effective performance by of fi cials. Councillors oversee the work of the municipality. This means that they should not get involved in operating procedures and tasks as it would weaken the accountability of of fi cials. For instance, councillors may not be involved in procurement - buying of goods or services by a municipality. They can only supervise the process to ensure it is being done properly, fairly and in accordance with policy.

The MFMA strengthens the separation of powers and clearly de fi nes the roles and responsibilities of all the role players in a municipal council.

I REALLY THOUGHT THAT I WAS ELECTED BECAUSE I AM NOT AFRAID TO ROLL UP MY SLEEVES AND GET THE WORK DONE. THAT IS WHAT I WAS ELECTED FOR!

WHY IS THERE STILL NO WATER IN SECTION C OF MY WARD? FIX IT NOW!

Councillors should not intervene directly with the work of of fi cials. They work through the mayor and the municipal manager.

IF I FIX IT I WON ‛ T BE FOLLOWING THE PRIORITY TASKS ASSIGNED TO MY DEPARTMENT – WHICH WILL MEAN THAT OTHER BUDGETED PRIORITIES WILL NOT BE COMPLETED.

YOU CAN STILL GET THINGS DONE BY MAKING WELL-ADVISED DECISIONS AND SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE STAFF WHEN THEY PERFORM WELL.

Councillors The MFMA gives councillors clear responsibilities for setting policies and overseeing municipal fi nancial management. Councillors are also more accountable to their communities for their municipality’s performance.

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The Role of Councillors in Municipal Finance Management