A Guide for Councillors

Part 3 Understanding the Municipal Finance Management Act

3.3 Administrative accountability Administrative accountability requires council to be sure that the way a municipality runs its administration and the processes it uses for implementing its plans are accountable. Council must oversee staff outputs and ensure that the assets of the municipality are well managed. Councillors also need to be sure that they get good service from their managers and the administration.

Section 195 of the Constitution says that (2) The administration of a municipality must—

(a) be responsive to the needs of the local community (b) facilitate a culture of public service and accountability amongst staff (c) take measures to prevent corruption (d) establish clear relationships and facilitate co- operation and communication between it and the local community (e) give members of the local community full and accurate information about the level and standard of municipal services they are entitled to receive, and (f) inform the local community how the municipality is managed, of the costs involved and the persons in charge.

Overseeing staff

WE CAN INFLUENCE STAFF POLICIES. WE ALSO HAVE A SAY IN THE SELECTION OF THE SENIOR MANAGERS AND IN THEIR PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT. IF STAFF DON ‛ T SERVE THE PUBLIC WELL, WE CAN TAKE THE PROBLEM BACK TO THE MANAGERS. THE POLICIES SHOULD GUIDE OFFICIALS ABOUT SERVICE STANDARDS. THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER AND SENIOR MANAGERS MUST IMPLEMENT THE POLICY.

The organisational structure The municipal manager develops the organisational structure. The structure must fi t the municipality’s goals for service delivery and development. The structure must also fi t within the municipal budget. Each post must be necessary to the council’s functions. Each person that is employed needs to work towards the council’s goals.

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The Role of Councillors in Municipal Finance Management