Ward councillors are a critical part in local government. They are accountable to their ward and to the municipal council. They are a representative conduit between the communities they represent and the municipal council, reporting back regularly through ward meetings, and assisting the community in identifying needs and priority areas of development which feed into the municipality’s planning processes.
Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp explained that councillors act as the bridge between the community and the municipal council.
Read more: A tour of Ward 134, service delivery and public meetings are the focus for Devon Steenkamp ATM
“They are elected to represent the interests of their ward, and are responsible for addressing community issues,” he said. For example, pushing for service delivery.
He shared key responsibilities of ward councillors:
• Representation and advocacy: Ward councillors represent the concerns and needs of residents within council meetings, ensuring that local interests are heard. They also advocate for better services like waste collection, water supply, and public safety.
• Public participation and communication: Councillors keep the community informed about important council decisions and encourage public involvement in local government.
• Service delivery oversight: A major part of their role involves monitoring and pushing that basic services are delivered efficiently in their ward. This includes addressing complaints and liaising with municipal departments to resolve issues related to infrastructure, utilities, and public spaces.
• By-law adherence and role boundaries: Councillors do not have the authority to instruct municipal officials directly. Their role is to escalate through the appropriate channels. By law, councillors oversee service delivery and community needs but cannot manage or intervene in the work of municipal employees.
• Championing party policies: Ward councillors not only represent the community but also promote the policies and principles of their political party.
• Campaigning and elections: They are actively involved in political campaigns, voter mobilisation, and supporting party growth during elections. This includes recruiting new members and participating in outreach activities.
• Accountability: Councillors are accountable to both their political party and their community. They report back on their activities, attend council meetings, and work to ensure transparency in local government operations.
Also read: DA calls win in Ward 134
In summary, ward councillors are vital in fostering effective communication between the government and its citizens, promoting accountability, and ensuring that the needs of the community are met. Their role is to work for the people, and with the people.
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