The City of Sydney Council

The State Government makes laws which govern the powers of Local Government.

Most of these powers are outlined in the Local Government Act which contains information on how councils are established, how elections should be run, how and when councils should meet, how rates are to be charged, how councils can spend money and what councils can do.

Like all councils, the City of Sydney has responsibilities under other Acts, including the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, Public Heath Act, and Companion Animals Act. Councils also have the power to make their own regulations and by-laws.

Local Government exists to:

• Provide a representative, informed and responsible decision-maker acting to develop the community and its resources in a socially just and environmentally sustainable manner;
• Ensure the responsive and effective provision and coordination of public services and facilities at the local level; and
• Initiate and promote effort within a local community; and represent the interests of local communities to the wider community.

The functions of the City of Sydney include:

• Providing for the development of its area;
• Providing services and facilities that benefit the area, its ratepayers, residents and visitors;
• Protecting health;
• Providing for the welfare, well-being and interests of individuals and groups within the community;
• Representing and promoting the interests of its ratepayers and residents;
• Establishing and supporting organisations and programs that benefit people in its area or local government generally;
• Protecting the environment and improving amenity;
• Providing the infrastructure for industry;
• Attracting commerce, industry and tourism;
• Managing, improving and developing resources available to the Council.
  

Lord Mayor and Councillors

The City of Sydney is represented by a popularly elected Lord Mayor and ten Councillors. All Councillors are elected by voters to represent the entire local government area as the City is not divided into wards. All Councillors and the Lord Mayor are elected for a four year term. A Deputy Lord Mayor is elected each year by the Councillors.

The Lord Mayor is empowered by the Local Government Act 1993 to carry out civic and ceremonial functions of the Mayoral office, and to preside at meetings of the Council. 

The Lord Mayor continues to have the role of a Councillor and has other functions delegated to her by the Council.

The role of the Councillor, as a member of the governing body of the Council, is to:

• Direct and control the affairs of the Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993;
• Participate in the optimum allocation of the Council's resources for the benefit of the area;
• Play a key role in the creation and review of the Council's policies and objectives and criteria relating to the exercise of the Council's regulatory functions; and
• Review the performance of the Council and its delivery of services, and the management plans and revenue policies of the Council.

The role of the Councillor as an individual elected representative is to:

• Represent the interests of the residents and ratepayers;
• Provide leadership and guidance to the community; and
• Facilitate communication between the community and the Council.

Council has developed a number of policies which set out standards and procedures governing Councillors' performance and conduct including meeting conduct, access to facilities and expenses, access to information and interactions with Council staff.