Local government The Western Australian Constitution Act 1889 states that Parliament will maintain a system of local government throughout the State. This is given effect through local government legislation which confers powers and functions on local governments. A local government is a corporate body which can sue and be sued. Council The council is elected by the community and is the governing body of a local government. It is made up of between six and fifteen elected members and is led by a mayor or president. Councils are responsible for the governance of their local affairs and functions. This includes oversight of the planning and government’s allocation of finances and resources, and the determination of local government policies. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) The CEO is employed by the council to head the administration and manage the day to day operations, or executive functions, of the local government and to implement council policies and decisions. Staff The staff are employed by the CEO to perform the functions of the local government. The community The community is comprised of residents, ratepayers including property owners that do not live in the district and those renting business premises within the district, as well as the extended community that are impacted by council decisions but do not live within its district. Defining the roles of council and administration In 1995, when the current Act was introduced to Parliament, the then Minister for Local Government remarked in his second reading speech: will be a clear specification of the roles of key players; that is, “There council, mayor or president, and councillors. This is designed to promote efficient administration at the local government level and to avoid conflicts caused by uncertainty. The lack of role clarity has led to some mayors/presidents and councillors becoming involved in administrative matters which should be handled by staff. The new Act will provide a clear
Local government The Western Australian Constitution Act 1889 states that Parliament will maintain a system of local government throughout the State. This is given effect through local government legislation which confers powers and functions on local governments. A local government is a corporate body which can sue and be sued. Council The council is elected by the community and is the governing body of a local government. It is made up of between six and fifteen elected members and is led by a mayor or president. Councils are responsible for the governance of their local government’s affairs and functions. This includes oversight of the planning and allocation of finances and resources, and the determination of local government policies. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) The CEO is employed by the council to head the administration and manage the day to day operations, or executive functions, of the local government and to implement council policies and decisions. Staff The staff are employed by the CEO to perform the functions of the local government. The community The community is comprised of residents, ratepayers including property owners that do not live in the district and those renting business premises within the district, as well as the extended community that are impacted by council decisions but do not live within its district. Defining the roles of council and administration In 1995, when the current Act was introduced to Parliament, the then Minister for Local Government remarked in his second reading speech: “There will be a clear specification of the roles of key players; that is, council, mayor or president, and councillors. This is designed to promote efficient administration at the local government level and to avoid conflicts caused by uncertainty. The lack of role clarity has led to some mayors/presidents and councillors becoming involved in administrative matters which should be handled by staff. The new Act will provide a clear