Council Members (Councillors and Mayor) don’t act alone. They’re elected as part of a team to make decisions collectively at Council and Committee meetings.
They are entrusted with key responsibilities:
- Representing the interests of electors, ratepayers, residents, and the wider community.
- Acting as a link between the community and the City’s administration.
- Focusing on the big picture and long term planning, not daily operations.
- Participate in Council and Committee meetings contributing to decisions on various aspects of the City, including resource allocation, policy development, budgets and service delivery.
- Providing leadership and guidance.
- Staying well-informed to make confident decisions.
- Uphold high standards of integrity, fairness, honesty, and respect.
- Declare and manage conflicts of interest.
- Act transparently, in the public interest and in line with ethical and statutory requirements.
- Helping plan for the future of the City.
The Local Government Act 1995 describes the role of:
The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety has more information on the role of a Council Member.
Frequently asked questions
Do Council Members undertake professional development?
Yes, within the first 12 months of being elected they are required to complete statutory training.
There will also be opportunities to undertake further professional development during their term.