A Guide for Councillors

Part 2 Understanding the Municipal Finance Management Act Part 3 Political and administrative accountability Accountability in local government refers to providing the best value for money to the community. The council must have good procedures and systems. This depends on two factors: 1. strategy – the choices we make (political accountability) 2. how well we implement these choices (administrative accountability).

THE COMMUNITY ELECTED US AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVES. WE MUST CARRY OUT THE WISHES OF THE COMMUNITY AND THEREFORE MUST CONSULT WITH THEM FROM TIME TO TIME. WE HAVE TO ANSWER TO THEM. WE NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT COUNCIL DOES AND HOW IT IS DONE.

IN ALL THIS TALK ABOUT THE SEPARATION OF POWERS, I SEE THAT COUNCILLORS HAVE POLITICAL POWER AND OFFICIALS HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES. WHAT ABOUT THE “COMMUNITY”? WHAT POWER DO THEY HAVE?

REMEMBER THOUGH, COUNCILLORS MUST NOT GET INVOLVED IN THE DAY- TO-DAY RUNNING OF THE MUNICIPALITY.

YOU ‛ RE QUITE RIGHT. WE CAN ONLY DECIDE WHICH PROJECTS ARE MOST IMPORTANT IF WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH COMMUNITY VIEWS AND NEEDS. IT IS UP TO US TO MAKE SURE THAT PROJECTS RUN ACCORDING TO PLAN. IT ‛ S OUR ROLE AS LEADERS.

WE ARE SEPARATE… BUT WE ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION!

BUT THAT MEANS THAT WE MUST ANSWER FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE STAFF – I THOUGHT YOU SAID WE ARE SEPARATE TO THEM?

CORRECTIVE ACTION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WHEN REVIEWING PERFORMANCE AGAINST THE PERFORMANCE CONTRACT.

REMEMBER THAT AS A COUNCIL WE CAN HIRE AND FIRE THE SENIOR MANAGERS TO ENSURE GOOD PERFORMANCE, OR NOT HAND OUT PERFORMANCE BONUSES. IF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS DON ‛ T DO THEIR JOB WE MUST TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE COMMUNITY CAN ALSO REPLACE US IF WE DON ‛ T DO OUR JOB.

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The Role of Councillors in Municipal Finance Management