Local Governance Statement
The Local Governance Statement is a collection of information about how Council engages with the community, how Council makes decisions, and how the community can influence these processes.
Introduction
The Local Governance Statement supports the purpose of local government by promoting local democracy. The statement provides the public with information on the ways to influence local democratic processes.
The Local Governance Statement is a requirement of the Local Government Act 2002 and includes the following broad categories of information:
- functions, responsibilities, and activities of the council
- electoral arrangements
- governance structures and processes
- the way elected members make decisions and relate to each other
- the management structure and key policies of the council
The purpose of local government is
(a) to enable democratic local decision-making and action by, and on behalf of, communities; and
(b) to meet the current and future needs of communities for good-quality local infrastructure, local public services, and performance of regulatory functions in a way that is most cost-effective for households and businesses.
In the Local Government Act 2002, 'good-quality' (when it is used about local infrastructure, local public services, and the performance of regulatory functions) means infrastructure, services, and performances that are
- efficient; and
- effective; and
- appropriate to present and anticipated future circumstances.
Clutha District Council Local Governance Statement
Functions and responsibilities
The Long Term Plan 2018-28 sets out the services and projects Council intends to deliver to the community over a 10-year period and how these will be funded. It also outlines the long-term vision for the Clutha District.
Legislation and bylaws
Key Clutha District Council documents including Bylaws, Strategies, Plans, Policies, Governance and Reports are available from the publications section of the Council website.
Our rights, obligations and responsibilities are described in statutes, regulations and bylaws. To fulfil its purpose, Clutha District Council exercises powers and carries out its responsibilities through the following:
- local government legislation (which applies to all of local government)
- local legislation (which applies only to Clutha District Council)
Representation arrangements, and the electoral system and processes
Members' roles and conduct
- Delegations Manual
- Code of Conduct for Elected Members - Elected Members are bound by the Code of Conduct as set out in Standing Orders
Governance structure, membership and delegations
- 2022-25 Elected Members
- Council's Committee Structure and Delegations can be found in the Council Delegations Manual.
Meeting processes
- Agendas and Minutes of Council, Community Boards, and Committees are available online.
- Meeting calendar for all council, committee and sub-committees is available.
- Standing Orders are the set of procedures for conducting meetings.
Consultation documents
Clutha District Council routinely consults with ratepayers and stakeholders on key decisions and plans. Details of current consultations can be found on our Consultation page.
Maori participation in decision-making
The Local Government Act 2002 requires the Council to consult with Māori and to provide opportunities for Māori to contribute to its decision-making processes. During 2015/16, along with other councils in Otago/Southland, Council participated in the Te Rōpu Taiao Otago and Te Rōpu Taiao Murihiku. The papatipu runanga and the participant councils continue to meet quarterly at the Te Roopu Taiao hui, which provides for excellent partnership and exchange of information. A key focus in 2015/2016 has been to seek to give these meetings more of a strategic focus and less focus on day to day operational / retrospective reporting back.
A review was carried out of the Charter of Understanding foundation document, He Huarahi mō Ngā Uri Whakatupu, which articulates the relationship between the Southland/Otago councils and Te Ao Marama representing the runanga of Murihiku. The Charter was signed by members in early 2016 and was effective from March 2016.
Council also acknowledges the local rununga, Waikoau Ngai Tahu South Otago Runanga, and liaises with them on matters that might be of relevance.
Management structure
The Local Government Act 2002 requires the Council to employ a Chief Executive whose responsibilities are to employ other staff on behalf of the Council, to implement Council decisions and provide advice to the Council.
Under the Local Government Act 2002, the Chief Executive is the only person who may lawfully give instructions to a staff member. Any complaint about individual staff members should therefore be directed to the Chief Executive, rather than to councillors.
Council management is divided into four function areas:
- Chief Executive's Department
- Corporate Services
- Regulatory Services
- Service Delivery
Equal employment opportunities policy
The Clutha District Council reaffirms its endorsement of the principles of Equal Employment Opportunities. As a "good employer" it is committed to having in place personnel practices and policies which are fair and proper in the treatment of employees.
The Council will ensure that all employment-related decisions are made on the basis of merit, i.e. preference will be given to the person who best meets the job requirements, irrespective of their;
- Sex
- Race
- Colour
- Ethnic or national origin
- Marital status
- Political or religious beliefs
- Physical or mental disabilities
The employment related decisions include;
- Recruitment
- Appointment
- Conditions of employment
- Training and development
- Promotion and transfer
- Dismissal
- Other disciplinary procedures
Policy and planning documents
At Clutha District Council, we have a number of planning documents that provide details on our functions, goals and how we plan to achieve them:
- District Strategies, including our Infrastructure Strategy
- Statutory planning documents such as the Long Term Plan, Annual Plan, Waste Minimisation Plan.
