The legislative function of a Council entails the passing of by-laws, policy formulation, the oversight of the executive and administration and the communication channel between the Community and the Municipality.
Mayor
Personal Assistant
Ms Simmy Mtendeni
- 073 2929 456
- smtendeni@ngqushwamun.gov.za
Secretary
Ms Nothemba Swaartbooi
- 072 0767 412
- 040 6733 771
- nswaartbooi@ngqushwamun.gov.za
The Mayor
The Mayor is the head of local government in Ngqushwa Local Municipality. He is elected by the Council every five years and has statutory powers and functions. The Mayor’s main role is to identify the needs of the municipality and recommend ways to realize those needs using the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan and budget. He must also monitor the administration, review the performance of the municipality, and oversee service delivery.
The work of the Council is coordinated by a Mayor who is elected by Council, he is assisted by councilors in an Executive Committee ( EXCO which is elected by the council). Administratively, the Offices working directly with the Mayor are Communications, Special Programmes Unit, and IDP and PMS.
The mayor with a collective executive system has the following statutory powers and functions in terms of the Municipal Structures Act:
- Presides over EXCO Meetings.
- Performs the duties, including any ceremonial functions, and exercises the powers delegated to her/him by the municipal council or the executive committee and
- Determines the date, time, and venue of ordinary and special executive committee meetings.
Sections 52 – 59 of the MFMA spell out the responsibilities of Mayors regarding the financial and fiscal affairs of a municipality. The powers and duties assigned to the mayor in the MFMA may be delegated by the council of the municipality to another member of the executive committee.
- To oversee the preparation of the Annual Budget
- Provide political guidance over the budget process and the priorities that must guide the budget
- Monitor and oversee the chief financial officer and the municipal manager in the exercising of their responsibilities in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act as provided for in the Act
- Submit quarterly reports to the Council on the implementation of the budget and the financial status of the municipality
- To take reasonable steps to ensure that the municipality approves its annual budget before the start of the financial year and that the budget and services delivery implementation plan is finalized within 28 days after the approval of the budget.
- Allow the public access to the service delivery and budget implementation plans of the municipality, by making them available no later than 14 days after the approval of these plans
- Table the draft budget before the Council.
- Ensure that the reports to the council will adequately facilitate the council’s oversight functions.
The Council Speaker
Functions of Speakers
The speaker of a municipal council—
- Presides at meetings ‘of the council:
- Performs the duties and exercises the powers delegated to the speaker in terms of section 32:
- Must ensure that the council meets at least quarterly:
- Must maintain order during meetings:
- Must ensure compliance in the council and council committees with the Code of Conduct set out in Schedule 5: and
- Must ensure that council meetings are conducted in accordance with the rules and orders of the council.
Council Speaker
Secretary
Ms Nomphelo Mnyamana
- 063 6689 813
- 040 6733 771
- nmnyamana@ngqushamun.gov.za
Chief Whip
- 040 6733 095
- 040 6733 771
The Chief Whip
The following functions are delegated by Council to the Whip of Council, in terms of national conventions on the duties and functions of the Whippery. The Whip of Council is required to:
- Ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the Whips Committee and the Whippery system;
- Assist with the smooth running of Council meetings by:
- Determining, prior to Council meetings, items on the agenda which political parties may wish to discuss and advising the Speaker accordingly;
- Ensuring that all political parties have nominated councillors to represent their parties and lead discussion on those areas identified by the party, and forwarding such names to the Speaker at least 12 hours before the time set for the Council meeting to commence;
- Allocating speaking times for each of the political parties, in line with the principles of democracy;
- Ensuring that Councillors adhere to the speaking times allocated to their political parties; and
- Assisting the Speaker to maintain order in Council by requiring Councillors to adhere to the Rules of Council regarding general conduct in meetings;
- Ensure the allocation of Councillors to standing committees in accordance with the representation of parties in Council;
- Ensure that Councillors observe the Code of Conduct for Councillors in any meetings, workshops or seminars approved by the Speaker; and
- Ensure that Councillors are familiar with the Code of Conduct for Councillors and to facilitate training as and when there is such a need