Overview

Activities and services

Some activities that are governed by legislation and Councils have responsibility for ensuring they are undertaken according to those rules.

Ultimate responsibility for all the District Council's activities rests with Council. Council decides the range of services and activities to be provided, sets the policy for these services and activities, delegates the implementation of these to staff and monitors their performance.

While Council has at times considerable freedom and opportunity to exercise its initiative in deciding its aim and policies, it must do this within the laws, regulations and requirements set down by central government. A local authority may only undertake those activities which are permitted by central government.

As well as providing services itself, Council may contract for services to be provided and assist many other organisations through membership, technical services, advice and financial grants.

Waimate District Council is headed by the Chief Executive, who is responsible to the elected Council for ensuring the effective, efficient and economic management of all Council's activities.