How Council Works

Singleton Council, like all other councils in NSW, is made up of two parts, the elected representatives (Councillors) and administration (Council management and staff). As an organisation, Council provides a range of services to the community including:

Community Planning
Community Services
Development and Construction
Economic Development
Environmental Management
Planning
Regulatory Services
Roads and Transport
Waste Services
Water and Sewer Services

The planning role of Council is driven by the four-year Delivery Program, which establishes a series of objectives for the organisation. It is designed as the single point of reference for all principal activities undertaken by Council.

MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS

Singleton Council has a popularly elected Mayor and nine Councillors who represent the community. The Mayor typically takes the chair at all Council Meetings at which they are present. If absent, the responsibility falls to the Deputy Mayor.

In addition, the Mayor:

Provides guidance to Councillors about what is expected of them
Acts as a key Council spokesperson
Supports good working relations between councillors
Represents Council in civic and ceremonial duties.

The role of Councillors is set out in the NSW Local Government Act which provides clarity and guidance to councils, councillors and citizens about what is expected of councillors. There are several key elements to the role of a Councillor i.e. participating in high level decision making, setting the strategic direction of the council and representing the local community.