The distinction between the roles of elected representatives (councillors), and municipal employees is very important. Councillors are elected public representatives to serve for a period of five years. Councillors are elected by the people onto a local council, and only keep their positions if they are re-elected.

Officials or employees are appointed by municipal management to specific jobs within the municipal administration, and are like any other employee in a job. Senior officials, such as the municipal manager, chief operating officers, director of finance, director of housing etc, should have employment contracts subject to annual performance. Their performance agreements must be made public on the websites. Together they make up the management of a municipality.

Councillors give political direction and leadership in the municipality, depending on the balance of power between the political parties elected to the council.

Councillors and officials determine the policies and direction of the municipality.

Officials should have the knowledge and skills on the technical and specialised aspects of municipal affairs. Councillors who don’t have this knowledge have to rely on the reports of officials to help them make decisions. Councillors have to weigh up recommendations from officials with community needs and interests.

Once the council has reached a decision then officials are expected to carry these out in the most efficient and cost-effective way.