- Each local government is responsible for a district, which may be referred to as a ‘city’, ‘town’ or ‘shire’. In the case of class 1 and 2 local governments, this district may be split into smaller areas called ‘wards’. While a council member may be elected by a particular ward, their duty is to represent the whole local government district.
- Local governments have an elected governing body and an administrative body:
- Elected body — known as the council
- Consists of between 5 and15 elected members (also called council members). 1 member is the mayor or president, who has a specific role under the Local Government Act 1995.
- Is the governing body and sets the overall direction for the local district through strategic planning and policy decisions. The council adopts a longer-term view of the future for the community and makes plans and policies to achieve this.
- The council is required to monitor the local government’s performance through audits and budget reviews and to ensure the local government has adequate resources to perform required tasks.
- The council is responsible for recruiting and appointing the local government’s chief executive officer (CEO), and for managing the CEO and reviewing their performance.
- Administrative body — known as the administration:
- Led by a CEO appointed by the council, who is responsible for the employment, direction and management of all local government employees.
- Local government employees are public officers that report to the CEO and manage the delivery of local government services and functions.
- Local government employees, under the direction of the CEO, are responsible for providing advice to the council, implementing council plans and policies, and taking action on council decisions.
- Elected body — known as the council
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