Political parties have a place on councils

Those in our community of the view that councils are mainly about dustbins and potholes, and so political parties have little role to play there, need to think again.

In fact, each NSW council now performs a key role in all aspects of government.

The current NSW Local Government Act requires councils to work with community members and the state and federal governments to deliver, through on-going integrated planning, delivery and maintenance, a living environment for the community that brings together all the various aspects of an area that make for quality of life.

‘Integrated’ underscores the fact that almost everything that a government does, at any level, has implications for many other aspects of activity, not only budget.

And recognition of those interactions must be built into planning, delivery and assessment.

Responsibilities, whether sole or in conjunction with other levels of government, include health and hygiene services, energy and lighting, water and sewerage, roads and footpaths, hospitals, clinics and other ‘care’ services.

Then there are the provision and location of preschools, schools and higher education, shops, transport, libraries, theatres, parks and sports facilities and other opportunities for cultural participation.

While doing all these things, each council must ensure that its area maintains its particular and preferred identity – affecting the sorts of industries it fosters, the activities it encourages and promotes, say in the arts or sports, and the natural environment it retains and maintains.

Even in locations which might be thought of as ‘fully developed’, councils must continually evaluate programs and installations to determine if they are indeed doing what they are there for or whether they could do with improving or replacing.

It is the job of elected councillors to see that all these things happen.

In doing so, councillors must consult, negotiate and deliberate – much more than just attending formal meetings of council.

So we need councillors who have a broad civic understanding, knowledge and experience to operate at a very high level, to liaise as equals with local, federal and state Members of Parliament, and critically and continually to evaluate all aspects of council activity while ensuring that funds are properly managed.

Their work is about local governing and government – it is political.

That is why political parties have a place on councils.

Email, Aug 18
Sonnie Hopkins, Tascott