A Guide for Councillors

The Role of Councillors in Municipal Finance Management

Part 3

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Disclosure: councillors must declare their interests and council must keep an up to date register of councillor interests. Councillors must withdraw from any decision-making process where there may be a con fl ict of interest. Awards of contracts to a councillor or person in the service of the state are prohibited. Restrictions on municipal councillors: councillors must not serve on the municipal tender committee. Bids that are received outside the normal tendering or other bidding processes should be discouraged. Approving a tender that has not been recommended in the course of the supply chain management policy should be carefully considered. The accounting of fi cer must notify the appropriate authorities in writing when such an event occurs.

3.5 Conclusion

OFFICIALS AND COUNCILLORS ARE ALL PART OF THE PROCESS. WE WORK AS A TEAM TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

I REPRESENT MY COMMUNITY IN ALL PHASES AND STEPS IN THE COUNCIL PROCESS. I AM NOT JUST A POLICEMAN! I AM A LEADER TOO.

Councillors are accountable politically and administratively. The MFMA strengthens the councillors’ accountability to the community by clarifying their role in setting policy and direction. It also makes them accountable for the administration of the municipality, by giving them the responsibility of overseeing the outputs of staff and fi nancial issues. It is important that municipalities are active in fi ghting corruption. Councillors play an important role in building public con fi dence in their municipality, ensuring service delivery and promoting development in the areas that they serve.

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Understanding the Municipal Finance Management Act