Councillor’s Corner: Should I attend council meetings?

JOBURG – This week, Zander Shawe from Randburg asks:

As a resident, how important is it for me to attend council meetings?

Dalu Cele, Ward 101 councillor answered:

A council meeting in its very nature is where strategic decisions, as well as policy direction relating to the municipality, are taken.

The council is represented by democratically elected members, therefore, any resident of the City of Johannesburg can attend the council meetings to observe that good governance is taking place in the municipality.

In terms of the Local Government Act, a council is elected to provide leadership for the good governance of the municipal districts and local communities.

The role of a council includes acting as a representative government by taking into account the diverse needs of the local community in decision making; providing leadership by establishing strategic objectives and monitoring their achievement; maintaining the viability of the council by ensuring that resources are managed in a responsible and accountable manner; advocating the interests of the local community to other communities and governments; acting as a responsible partner in government by taking into account the needs of other communities and fostering community cohesion and, finally, encouraging active participation in civic life.

Do you have a question for a ward councillor?

As a local newspaper, the Randburg Sun provides a platform for residents to learn about, understand and follow local government. As an extension of that, there is a weekly column called Councillor’s Corner, which is a platform for you, our readers, to voice your concerns or questions forward councillors to respond to.

Different, willing, ward councillors will respond to a question each week.

Email your burning question to: aimeed@caxton.co.za and let’s get the ball rolling.