What’s involved in being an elected member
Elected members help decide how South Taranaki’s money is spent, make decisions that will help define the future for our communities, build relationships with Iwi/hapū, community groups and neighbouring local authorities, decide how to meet the current and future needs for infrastructure, review and set policy and strategy and monitor performance of the Council against objectives and measures.
A day in the life of an elected member
On any given day, an elected member may:
- read and prepare for the upcoming week's meetings
- vote in various decision-making meetings and committees
- engage with the public to hear their views
- attend events like public meetings, citizenship ceremonies, or the opening of a new park or cycleway
Community Board members have similar responsibilities however your focus will be on the community you represent. Community Boards are responsible for allocating funds for community projects and programmes by assessing applications to a Discretionary Fund.
Rather than making decisions the Community Boards make recommendations for the Mayor and Councillors to consider. There is still the need to read and prepare for the upcoming week's meetings, engage with the public to hear their views and attend events like public meetings, citizenship ceremonies, or the opening of a new park or cycleway.
Mayor
Key responsibilities:
- To lead the development of Council’s plans, policies and budgets;
- To appoint the deputy mayor, chairpersons of all committees and establish the committees of Council;
- Presides over all Council meetings, ensuring that the elected members act within the guidelines of the code of conduct;
- Advocate on behalf of the community. This role may involve promoting the community and representing its interests;
- Ceremonial head of Council;
- Assist in providing leadership and feedback to other elected members on teamwork and chairing committee;
- Justice of the Peace, while the Mayor holds office
Councillors
Key responsibilities:
- Ensuring the Council fulfils its responsibilities and follows the principle of local government as set out in the Local Government Act 2002;
- The development and adoption of Council plans, policies and budgets for the District;
- Monitoring the performance of the Council against its stated objectives and policies set out in its Long Term Plan;
- Employment and monitoring the performance of the Chief Executive (under the Local Government Act 2002 the local authority employs the Chief Executive, who in turn employs all other staff on its behalf);
- Representing the interests of the residents and ratepayers of the South Taranaki District Council. On election, the members' responsibility is to the District as a whole; and
- Promoting good relationships with neighbouring local authorities.
Community Board Member
Key responsibilities:
- Represent and act as an advocate for the interests of their community;
- Manage Local Discretionary Funding
- Consider and report on matters referred to it by the Council, or any matter of interest or concern to the community board;
- Maintain an overview of services provided by the Council within its community;
- Prepare an annual submission to the Council for expenditure within its community;
- Communicate with community organisations and special interest groups within the community;
- Undertake any other responsibilities delegated to it by the Council.
For more information on the roles and responsibilities of elected members, click here to to read the Governance Statement.
What to expect
Being an elected member at any level is a serious commitment, even though your responsibilities and hours will vary according to the role you have and the community you represent.
It is a public role and will put you in the spotlight. You will be called upon to speak at meetings and events, and the media may ask for your views on certain topics.
If you are thinking of becoming a candidate, you should consider how you might balance the requirements and responsibilities of the role with other commitments in your life.
Learning and development for elected members
We provide elected members with learning and development support throughout the three-year electoral term.
During induction you will:
- learn how decisions are made
- get guidance on how to be effective in your governance role, including your key obligations
- become familiar with council processes and systems
- receive information about the council workplace, policies, expectations and safety procedures
- get a new phone, laptop and any other necessary equipment.
Over the term you will have ongoing learning opportunities to further develop your skills.
Elected members' code of conduct
The code of conduct sets out:
- expectations around the conduct of members toward one another, Council staff and the public
- how information is disclosed
- legislation that applies to the actions of members
- the relationship between elected members and management.
Visit the Council's Code of Conduct for more information.
