How councils operate
There are 79 councils in Victoria, each consisting of between 5 and 12 councillors who are democratically elected to govern a particular geographic area in the best interests of the local community.
Also referred to as local governments, councils are the third tier of the Australian political system.
How is a council structured?
Councils consist of an elected arm (councillors who are democratically elected by the community) and an operational arm (council staff). The very rare exception occurs when the state government suspends the councillors and appoints an administrator for a fixed period. The administrator then acts as “the council” until a new council is elected.
In broad terms an elected council sets the overall direction for the municipality through long-term planning. It adopts a strategic view of the future it wishes to achieve for its community and makes plans and policies to achieve this. A council then ensures that this is achieved through its monitoring and reporting processes.
The operational or administrative arm is responsible for implementing council decisions. Council officers also provide advice and expertise that help a council to form policy decisions, deliver services, and implement and manage systems. For all these functions, they are accountable to the council through the chief executive officer.
The elected council appoints the chief executive officer (CEO). The CEO is the only staff member the council appoints. The CEO is in turn responsible for the employment, work and conduct of the council staff.
The Council
The Council comprises the elected councillors meeting as a whole. Individual councillors, including the mayor do not have authority to make decisions under the Local Government Act.
As the council, elected councillors:
- review matters and debate issues before their council and take part in council’s decision making processes
- review council objectives and policies to ensure that they are appropriate for the local area
- review council resource allocation, expenditure and activities, and the efficiency and effectiveness of its service delivery
- decide the financial and rating policies
Council decisions are made in formal meetings that must be open to the public unless the meeting is closed under the Local Government Act.
How councils make decisions provides details of how council meetings work.
The Mayor
In Victoria, mayors are elected by their fellow councillors for a one-year term and may be re-elected each year if the council chooses. The one exception is the City of Melbourne, where all eligible voters directly elect the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor (who nominate for office jointly) for the full term of the Council.
Councils may elect to use either the title “mayor”, or in shires, “president”. Most choose “mayor”.
The mayor takes precedence at all council proceedings within the municipality and takes the chair at all meetings of the council at which he or she is present.
If the mayor is absent, incapable of acting or refuses to act, the council must appoint a councillor to be acting mayor. An acting mayor may perform any function or exercise any power conferred on the mayor.
As well as chairing council meetings, mayors usually take on other roles.
Council leadership
The mayor has an important role in encouraging participation by all councillors in every aspect of decision making. As leader of the council, the mayor usually works closely with the CEO to ensure the council achieves its strategic objectives.
Community leadership
The mayor acts as a community leader and the principal council spokesperson. The mayor actively promotes and develops opportunities for the municipality. This often involves developing and maintaining extensive individual and community networks, and influencing how stakeholders perceive and respond to the council.
Civic role
The mayor performs an important social and ceremonial role. Opening events, speaking at functions and supporting community groups are some of the civic responsibilities of the role. The mayor also extends hospitality on behalf of the council and the community to visiting dignitaries.
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