A Guide for Councillors

Part 3 Understanding the Municipal Finance Management Act

Appointing senior managers Councillors are involved in appointing senior managers for the municipality. Council also sets up the framework in which the municipal manager makes other staff appointments. These managers make up the senior management team that reports directly to the municipal manager.

Appointing other of fi cials Councillors should not be involved in appointing other municipal of fi cials, this should be left up to the senior managers. Councillors should, however, in fl uence the employment policies of the municipality and senior managers must adhere to these policies, otherwise it would be inappropriate to hold senior managers accountable for their staff’s performance.

Councillors must ensure that managers have the skills and expertise to do the required duties.

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Senior managers should be appointed through the following process: the municipal manager will develop the selection criteria the council should check the selection criteria carefully to make sure they select the best candidates possible the municipal manager must be involved in selection so that a good working relationship is established the council and the municipal manager are accountable for the performance of senior managers. • • • •

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The Role of Councillors in Municipal Finance Management