Decision-making
Communication between the community and the Council improves decision-making and is highly valued.
The Local Government Act 1999 directs the way decisions are made at Council meetings, by committees and subsidiaries of Councils, by the Chief Executive Officer specifically in relation to staffing matters, and by Council staff and other authorised people through delegated powers from the Council.
How items are raised
Items for debate and decision-making are included on the Council meeting agenda. Generally, items are raised by Council staff as a result of issues raised by citizens and organisations within the community, staff or a combination of these. An Elected Member can also request that an item be placed on the agenda for consideration.
How decisions are made
The Council is a corporate body and can only make decisions by resolutions that have been passed by the majority of Elected Members at a Council meeting.
In keeping with legislative requirements, decisions are made to determine:
- policies to be applied by the Council in exercising its discretionary powers;
- the type, range and scope of projects to be undertaken by Council;
- the resources which are to be made available to undertake such works and service.
Other factors are also taken into account when the Council is considering and ultimately making a decision on any issue. These include:
- the impact (social, economic, environmental, etc) on their own Ward as well as the impact on the whole City
- any financial and resource implications the decision may cause for the Council.
