CHAPTER 2 GOVERNANCE
1. INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNANCE
2.2. Council Whip: (Institutionalization)
Council resolved that in terms of resolution DM151/09/2007 to institutionalize the functions of the Council Whip as follows:
THAT the following powers, duties and functions be allocated to the Office of the Whip:
1 To act as an interface between the Speaker, the Mayoral Committee and the Executive Mayor;
2 To address any public or private audience on behalf of Council;
3 To assist Council in developing a culture of municipal governance that complements formal representative government with a system of participatory governance;
4 To assist the speaker in ensuring that Council meetings are conducted in accordance with the Rules and Orders of Council;
5 To chair Disciplinary Committees in respect of Councillors, as and when necessary;
6 To collaborate on a regular basis with the Executive Mayor and Speaker on issues of conduct, Councillor benefits and governance;
7 To communicate to communities information concerning the available mechanisms, processes and procedures to encourage and facilitate community participation, the matters with regard to which community participation is encouraged, the rights and duties of members of the local community and municipal governance, management and development;
Municipality|2.INTRODUCTIONTOPOLITICALGOVERNANCE 54
8 To contribute to building the capacity of communities to enable them to participate in the affairs of Council, Councillors and staff to foster community participation;
9 To convene Office Bearers’ meeting as and when necessary to address critical matters in respect of the Council and local government in general;
10 To develop political training programmes for Councillors;
11 To encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in all matters of Council and its activities;
12 To ensure coordination and accountability in Council’s service delivery process by creating synergy and maintain discipline to ensure that growth and development receive top priority;
13 To ensure equitable representation in the different Council committees;
14 To ensure that Council committees meet regularly and contribute constructively to the business of Council;
15 To ensure that Council provides democratic and accountable government to local communities;
16 To ensure that Council provides services to communities in a sustainable manner;
17 To ensure that Councillors perform the functions of office in good faith, honestly and a transparent manner and at all times act in the best interest of Council and in such a way that the credibility and integrity of Council are not compromised;
18 To ensure that all Councillors including full-time Councillors
x attend all Council, Mayoral Committee and other committees they serve on, as the case may be, unless specific leave of absence had been granted to such full-time Councillor not to attend the relevant meeting;
x participate in the IDP Forum meetings of Council and the Local Municipalities in the area of jurisdiction of Council;
x participate in the Ward Conference meetings of Council and the Local Municipalities in the area of jurisdiction of Council;
x participate in the Ward Committee meetings of the Local Municipalities in the area of jurisdiction of Council when requested to do so by the relevant Ward Councillor;
x participate in the Budget discussion meetings of Council and the Local Municipalities in the area of jurisdiction of Council;
x adhere to Council decisions relating to hours of work;
x participate in the Budget Indaba meetings of Council and the Local Municipalities
Municipality|2.INTRODUCTIONTOPOLITICALGOVERNANCE 55
in the area of jurisdiction of Council;
x participate in the Community Outreach meetings of Council and the Local Municipalities in the area of jurisdiction of Council;
x attend to matters raised by members of the community; and
x execute any other duty assigned by Council or the Executive Mayor;
x to determine processes and procedures to enforce delegated functions;
19 To ensure that directly elected Councillors have at least one meeting per quarter in their assigned Local Municipalities;
20 To ensure that relationships between political parties are constructive and focused on key issues;
21 To ensure the accountability of Councillors and the allocation of proportional in their various constituencies;
22 To ensure the proper representation of other political parties in the various committees; thus maintaining sound relations between the various political parties;
23 To involve communities in the development, implementation and review of Council's performance management system;
24 To maintain cohesion within the governing party and building relationships with other political parties;
25 To manage and enhance the political relationship between political parties represented in Council;
26 To monitor and report on the manner in which Council exercises executive and legislative authority;
27 To monitor and report on the manner in which Council governs the local government affairs of the local community;
28
To monitor constituency work of all Councillors by receiving at least quarterly reports on the activities of the various Councillors;
29 To monitor the general attendance by Councillors of Council and committee meetings;
30 To perform a ceremonial role as Council may determine.
31 To promote a safe and healthy environment;
32 To promote good governance though membership of key committees and facilitation across political parties on a whole range of matters where convergence is sought;
Municipality|2.INTRODUCTIONTOPOLITICALGOVERNANCE 56
33 To promote social and economic development in Council’s area of jurisdiction;
34 To recommend the designation of Councillors to serve on Section 79 committees and other Council committees.
Municipality|COMPONENTA:POLITICALANDADMINISTRATIVEGOVERNANCE 57
COMPONENT A: POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE GOVERNANCE