Our Mandate

The Council derives its mandate from the Local Government Act which lists the following as overall functions of Local Authorities:

  • Maintain law and order and effective administration of Local Authorities to ensure national security;
  • Control the keeping and movement of livestock, slaughtering of animals, sale of meat and enforce the disposal of diseased animals carcasses or meat which is unfit for human consumption;
  • Take measures for storage, market and preservation of agricultural produce and prevention of agricultural produce, conservation of natural resources and prevention of soil erosion;
  • Control the manufacture, storage, sale and use of petroleum, fireworks gas and other combustible or dangerous substance;
  • Construct and maintain public roads, streets, sanitary lanes, bridges and water courses and remove all obstacles thereof;
  • Establish and maintain sanitation and drainage systems to facilitate the removal of refuse and effluent;
  • Provide for the registration of births, marriage, deaths, clubs and enumeration of persons or property connected with the administration of Council areas;
  • Establish and maintain colleges, schools and day nurseries;
  • Prepare and administer schemes for community participation in development;
  • Establish and maintain a system of street lighting and in public places;
  • Establish and maintain firefighting and prevention services in order to protect life, property and natural resources from damage by fire;
  • Control persons and premises engaged in manufacturing, preparations, storage handling, sale or distribution of food or drink including intoxicating substances;
  • Prohibit and control the use of land and erection of buildings in the interest of public health, safely and orderly development of the Council area;
  • Demolish or remove buildings which are a danger to public health or safety and do not conform to plans and specifications approved by the Councils;
  • Establish and maintain public amenities such as parks, zoos, gardens, pleasure grounds, camping grounds, caravan sites and an open spaces;
  • Establish and maintain hospitals, clinics, health centers and environmental and health services; and
  • Establish and maintain cemeteries, crematoria, and mortuaries and provide for the burial of the dead and destitute persons who die in the area of the Council.