Roles of Elected Members

Ngā Kawenga o ngā Kaikōwhiri

Find out about the roles and responsibilities of the South Taranaki District Council and its Councillors, Mayor, Committees and Community Board members.

The Mayor and Councillors

The Mayor and Councillors of the South Taranaki District Council have the following roles:

Ensuring the Council fulfils its responsibilities and follows the principles of Local Government as set out in the Local Government Act 2002;
Developing and adopting plan, policies and budgets for the District;
Monitoring the performance of the Council against stated goals and objectives set out in its Long Term Plan;
Representing the interests of the people of the South Taranaki District (on election all members must make a declaration that they will perform their duties faithfully and impartially, and according to their best skill and judgement in the best interests of the District); and
Employing 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).

Unless otherwise provided in the Local Government Act 2002 or in standing orders, the Council can only act by majority decisions at meetings. Each member has one vote and the Chairperson has a casting vote. Any individual member (including the Mayor) has no authority to act on behalf of the Council unless the Council has expressly delegated such authority.

The Mayor

The Mayor is elected by the District as a whole and as one of the elected members shares the same responsibilities as other members of the Council. In addition, the Mayor has the following rules:

To lead the development of the Council’s plan, policies and budgets;
To appoint the Deputy Mayor, Chairpersons of all committees and establish the committees of Council;
Presiding member at Council meetings. The Mayor is responsible for ensuring the orderly conduct of business during meetings (as determined in standing orders);
Advocated on behalf of the community. This may involve promoting the community and representing its interests. Such advocacy will be most effected where it is carried out with the knowledge and support of the Council;
Ceremonial head of the Council; and
Providing leadership and feedback to other elected members on teamwork and chairing committees.
With the Mayor’s consent at any time during the Mayor’s temporary absence; or
Without the Mayor’s consent at any time while the Mayor is prevented by illness or there is any vacancy in the office of the Mayor.
Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002, which includes obligations to act as a good employer in respect of the Chief Executive and to abide by the current Code of Conduct and standing orders;
The Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968 which regulates the conduct of elected members in situations where there is, or could be, a conflict of interest between their duties as an elected member and their financial interests (either direct or indirect);
The Secret Commissions Act 2910, which prohibits elected members from accepting gifts or rewards which could be seen to sway them to perform their duties in a particular way; and
The Crimes Act 1961 regarding the acceptance of gifts for acting in a certain way and the use of official information for private profit.

The Mayor has no power to commit the Council to any particular, course of action except where specifically authorised to act under duly delegated authority.

The Mayor is required to be a Justice of the Peace while holding office as Mayor.

The Deputy Mayor

The Deputy Mayor exercises the same role as other elected members.

In addition to the responsibilities of an elected member, the Deputy Mayor is authorised to chair meetings and generally perform functions and duties of the Council in the Mayor’s absence:

The Deputy Mayor may be removed from office by resolution of the Council.

Other Elected Members’ Obligations

Elected members have specific obligations as to their conduct in the following legislation:

Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002, which includes obligations to act as a good employer in respect of the Chief Executive and to abide by the current Code of Conduct and standing orders;
The Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act 1968 which regulates the conduct of elected members in situations where there is, or could be, a conflict of interest between their duties as an elected member and their financial interests (either direct or indirect);
The Secret Commissions Act 2910, which prohibits elected members from accepting gifts or rewards which could be seen to sway them to perform their duties in a particular way; and
The Crimes Act 1961 regarding the acceptance of gifts for acting in a certain way and the use of official information for private profit.