The Chief Executive is appointed by the Council in accordance with section 42 and clauses 33 and 34 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002.
The Chief Executive implements and manages the Council’s policies and objectives within the budgetary constraints established by the Council.
Under section 42 of the Local Government Act 2002 the responsibilities of the Chief Executive are:
- Implementing the decisions of the Council.
- Providing advice to elected members of the Council.
- Ensuring that all responsibilities, duties and powers delegated to the Chief Executive or to any person employed by the Chief Executive, or imposed or conferred by any Act, regulation or bylaw are properly performed or exercised.
- Managing the activities of the Council effectively and efficiently.
- Facilitating and fostering representative and substantial elector participation in elections and polls held under the Local Electoral Act 2001.
- Maintaining systems to enable effective planning and accurate reporting of the financial and service performance of the Council.
- Providing leadership for the staff of the Council.
- Employing staff (including negotiation of the terms of employment for the staff).
The Chief Executive is responsible for employing all staff on behalf of the Council and is the only person who may lawfully give instructions to a staff member. Any complaint about individual staff members should therefore be directed to the Chief Executive, rather than the Mayor or Councillors.