Role of Council and Staff

Municipal Council sets the vision, priorities, and policy direction for the municipality, making decisions on behalf of residents. Such powers are explained in detail in the Municipal Act, as well as many other Acts. Municipal staff are responsible for carrying out Council’s decisions and delivering day-to-day programs and services. Together, Council and staff work within clearly defined roles to serve the community.

Role of Council

Under Section 224 of The Municipal Act, it is the role of council:

to represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality;
to develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the municipality;
to determine which services the municipality provides;
to ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures and controllership policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of Council;
to ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality, including the activities of the senior management of the municipality;
to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality; and
to carry out the duties of Council under this or any other Act.

No one Member of Council has the authority to make decisions, nor act individually. All decisions that are required to be made by Council MUST be made by the majority and MUST be done by Resolution or By-law. By-Laws and Resolutions can only be passed at a Regular Meeting of Council, or a Special Meeting of Council.

No Resolutions or By-Laws can be passed at committee meetings or Committee of the Whole Meetings, therefore decisions cannot be made at that level, only recommendations.

Role of Head of Council

Under Section 225 of The Municipal Act, it is the role of the head of Council;

to act as chief executive officer of the municipality;
preside over council meetings so that its business can be carried out efficiently and effectively;
to provide leadership to the Council;
1. without limiting clause (c), to provide information and recommendations to the council with respect to the role of council described in clauses 224 (d) and (d.1);
to represent the municipality at official functions; and
to carry out the duties of the head of council under this and any other Act.

Role of Municipal Administration

Duties of Municipal Administration
Under Section 227 of The Municipal Act, it is the role of the officers and employees of the municipality:

to implement council’s decisions and establish administrative practices and procedures to carry out council’s decisions;
to undertake research and provide advice to council of the policies and programs of the municipality;
to carry out other duties required under this or any Act and other duties assigned by the municipality.

Duties of Chief Administrative Office
Under Section 229 of The Municipal Act, a municipality may appoint a chief administrative officer who shall be responsible for:

exercising general control and management of the affairs of the municipality for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the municipality;
performing such other duties as are assigned by the municipality.

Duties of the Clerk
Under Section 228(1), The Municipal Act makes it mandatory that a municipality appoint a Clerk whose main responsibilities are as follows:

to record, without note of comment, all resolutions, decisions and other proceedings of the council;
if required by any member present at a vote, to record the name and vote of every member voting on any matter or question;
to keep the originals or copies of all by-laws and of all minutes of the proceedings of council;
to perform the other duties required under this Act or under any other Act;
to perform the other duties as are assigned by the municipality.

Duties of the Treasurer
Under Section 286(1), The Municipal Act requires that a Treasurer be appointed to be responsible for handling all of the financial affairs of the municipality on behalf of and in the manner directed by the Council of the municipality, including:

collecting money payable to the municipality and issuing receipts for those payments;
depositing all money received on behalf of the municipality in a financial institution designated by the municipality;
paying all debts of the municipality and other expenditures authorized by the municipality;
maintaining accurate records and accounts of the financial affairs of the municipality as it requires or requests;
providing the council with such information with respect to the financial affairs of the municipality as it requires or requests;
ensuring investments of the municipality are made in compliance with the regulations made under section 418 of the Act.