Council and elected members
Every two years in October, the Fremantle community elects one councillor for each of the City's six wards - North, South, East, City, Hilton and Beaconsfield. The mayor is elected by the combined electorate of all wards. The mayor and councillors are elected for a four year term. Together the elected members make up council, and act as a community board representing community interests at council and committee meetings. The City of Fremantle Council has 13 elected members - 12 councillors and the mayor.
The Local Government Act 1995 (the Act) sets out the general functions of local government to:
- provide for good government
- provide services and facilities to meet the community needs
- deliver services effectively and efficiently
- be accountable to the community.
The Act makes provision for the role of the following positions:
Mayor
- presides at meetings in accordance with the Act
- participates in council decision making processes at council and committee meetings
- provides leadership and guidance to the community
- carries out civic and ceremonial duties on behalf of the local government
- advocates for the City at state and federal level
- speaks on behalf of the local government
- performs such other functions as are given to the mayor by the Act or any other written law and
- liaises with the chief executive officer (CEO) on the local government's affairs and the performance of its functions.
Councillors
- represents the interests of electors, ratepayers and residents
- provides leadership and guidance to the community
- facilitates communication between the community and the council
- participates in the local government's decision-making processes at council and committee meetings and
- performs such other functions as are given to a councillor by the Act or any other written law.
Council
- directs and controls the local government's affairs
- responsible for local government functions
- oversees the allocation of finances and resources
- responsible for the performance of the local government's functions
- determines the local government's policies and
- mayor liaises with the CEO and presides over council meetings.
CEO
- advises council about the Act and other laws
- provides advice so that informed decisions can be made
- implements council decisions
- manages the day-to-day operations
- liaises with the mayor and
- responsible for employment, management, supervision, and direction of staff.