Information on Councillor Roles
The role of the Councillors, Mayor & Governing Body
Excerpts taken from the Office of Local Government’s (OLG) ‘Stand for your Community’ Handbook – all you need to know about becoming a councillor in NSW
For more information visit OLG's Become a councillor page - www.olg.nsw.gov.au/public/local-government-elections/become-a-councillor/
What is the role of the governing body?
Councillors collectively comprise the governing body of a council. Under the Act, the role of the governing body is to:
- direct and control the affairs of council in consultation with the general manager
- provide effective civic leadership
- ensure as far as possible the financial sustainability of council
- ensure as far as possible that council acts in accordance with the principles prescribed under the Act and other relevant plans, programs, strategies and policies of council
- develop and endorse the community strategic plan, and delivery program and other plans, programs, strategies and policies of council
- determine and adopt a rating and revenue policy and operational plans to ensure council resources are allocated appropriately
- regularly review council’s performance, including service delivery
- make decisions that support the proper exercise of council’s regulatory functions
- determine the process for appointing the general manager and managing their performance
- determine senior staff positions within the organisation structure of council
- consult with community organisations and stakeholders about council decisions and activities
- ensure council acts honestly, efficiently and appropriately.
What is the role of individual councillors?
Under the Act, each councillor has a responsibility to:
- be an active and contributing member of the governing body
- make considered and well informed decisions
- participate in developing council’s integrated planning and reporting framework
- represent the collective interests of residents, ratepayers and the local community
- facilitate communication between the local community and the governing body
- uphold and accurately represent the policies and decisions of the governing body
- make all reasonable efforts to acquire and maintain the skills necessary to perform the role of a councillor.
Councillors are both individually and collectively accountable to the local community for the performance of the council.
What is the role of the mayor?
The Mayor is often considered the voice of the council and the leader of the community.
While the mayor essentially has the same roles and responsibilities as a councillor, they are also expected to exercise a leadership role. This is reflected in their additional responsibilities.
Under the Act, the Mayor’s role is to:
- be the leader of the council and a leader in the local community
- advance community cohesion and promote civic awareness
- be the principal member and spokesperson of the governing body, including representing the views of council about local priorities
- exercise the policy-making functions of the governing body between meetings of the council, where necessary
- preside at council meetings and ensure they are conducted efficiently, effectively and in accordance with the Act
- ensure council’s strategic plans, programs and policies are developed and adopted in a timely way
- promote the effective and consistent implementation of council’s strategic plans, programs and policies
- promote partnerships between council and key stakeholders
- advise, consult with, and provide strategic direction to the general manager about council’s strategic plans and policies
- together with the general manager, ensure there are adequate opportunities and mechanisms for engagement between council and the local community
- perform civic and ceremonial functions
- represent the council on regional organisations and at regional, state and federal intergovernmental forums
- in consultation with councillors, lead performance appraisals of the general manager
- exercise any other functions that the council determines.
Mayors can either be elected by the community or by the councillors. If elected by the community, mayors hold office for the full council term. Mayors that are elected by councillors hold office for two years. In the Snowy Valleys Council the Mayor is elected by councillors and holds office for two years.