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Chapter 4

The role of municipal councils

The roles played by municipal councils are to:

  • Pass by-laws – local laws and regulations about any of the functions they are responsible for. By-laws may not go against any national laws and are subject to the Constitution.
  • Approve budgets and development plans – every year a municipal budget must be passed that sets down how money will be raised and spent. The council must also approve the integrated development plan.
  • Impose rates and other taxes, for example, property tax
  • Charge service fees – for using municipal services like water, electricity, libraries, and so on
  • Impose fines – for people who break municipal by-laws, for example, traffic fines, littering
  • Borrow money – the council can take a loan for a development or other project and use the municipal assets as surety
  • Draw up, approve, or amend integrated development plans (IDP)
  • In playing their role, municipal councils have a duty to:
    • Use their resources in the best interests of the communities
    • Be democratic and accountable in the way they govern
    • Encourage communities to be involved in the affairs of local government
    • Provide services to the community
    • Make sure the environment is safe and healthy