Inter-governmental relations means means the relationships between the three spheres of government. The Constitution states, ‘the three spheres of government are distinctive, interdependent and interrelated’. According to this clause, local government is a sphere of government in its own right, and is not a function or administrative implementing arm of national or provincial government. Although the three spheres of government are autonomous, they exist in a unitary South Africa and have to work together on decision-making and must co-ordinate budgets, policies and activities, particularly for those functions that cut across the spheres.