Under the Local Government Act 1995 Council is charged with the following responsibilities:

Governs the Town’s affairs

This role encompasses strategic planning activities to ensure the continued sustainability of the Town, the setting of strategic objectives and monitoring the Town’s performance against these strategic objectives.

Is responsible for the performance of the Town’s functions

This role determines that Council has ultimate responsibility for the performance of the Town’s functions. Council can exercise this responsibility through the development of appropriate mechanisms including delegations of authority, the provision of services and facilities, and regular reporting against strategic objectives.

Oversees the allocation of the Town’s finances and resources

Council exercises this role by overseeing and adopting an Annual Budget and the Long Term Financial Plan. Council is advised by the CEO who is also responsible for the development of appropriate financial controls, management protocols and practices.

Determines the Town’s policies

The role of Council in setting policy is most effective when it is linked with a professional organisation that implements these policies through the development of appropriate management protocols and work processes. The policies of Council provide the direction for the ongoing management of Town activities.

Decision making is the most important activity undertaken by the Town, both by Council and by employees.

Council can only make decisions by resolution, that is, a motion being considered at a properly convened meeting and passed by the required majority vote.

Many of the decisions made by the Town (including Council and employees) are subject to administrative law, and therefore subject to challenge or appeal. The principles of administrative law are:

• to act in good faith
• to take into account only relevant considerations
• to act reasonably; and
• to provide procedural fairness.

An important role of the CEO is to ensure that Council receives quality and timely advice and relevant information to enable informed and effective decisions to be made.

At meetings, this includes ensuring that all reports presented include the necessary background information and detail; any options; any financial or legal impacts; and any associated risks.

Council decisions need to have clarity and that clarity arises from the recommendations in reports from the CEO. The decisions made at meetings provide the direction and and authority for the ongoing operation of the Town and give direction to the CEO to act.

Members of the public are invited to participate at meetings that are open to the public.