Page:Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1993 from Government Gazette.djvu/59

116   No. 15466

176. Matters before the council of a local government pertaining to—

the budget of the local government, shall be decided by a resolution of the council adopted by a majority of at least two-thirds of all its members; and town planning, shall be decided by a resolution of the council adopted by at least a majority of all its members: Provided that a council may delegate the power to make decisions on matters pertaining to town planning to the executive committee or to a committee appointed for this purpose: Provided further that section 177  shall apply mutatis mutandis to the appointment and functioning of a committee appointed for this purpose.

Executive committees

177. A council of a local government shall elect, according to a system of proportional representation as may be prescribed by a law, from among its members, an executive committee to exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be determined by such council: Provided that—

the council shall determine the number of members of and the quorum for the executive committee; the executive committee shall endeavour to exercise its powers and perform its functions on the basis of consensus among its members; and if consensus on any matter cannot be achieved, such matter may be decided by the committee by resolution of a majority of at least two-thirds of all its members, or the committee may, if a majority of the committee so decides, submit a report and recommendation (if any) on the matter to the council for a decision.

Administration and finance

178. (1) A local government shall ensure that its administration is based on sound principles of public administration, good government and public accountability so as to render efficient services to the persons within its area of jurisdiction and effective administration of its affairs.

(2) A local government shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by law of a competent legislature after taking into consideration any recommendations of the Financial and Fiscal Commission, be competent to levy and recover such property rates, levies, fees, taxes and tariffs as may be necessary to exercise its powers and perform its functions: Provided that within each local government such rates, levies, fees, taxes and tariffs shall be based on a uniform structure for its area of jurisdiction.

(3) A local government shall be entitled to an equitable allocation by the provincial government of funds, and the Financial and Fiscal Commission shall make recommendations regarding criteria for such allocations, taking into account the different categories of local government referred to in section 174  (2).

Elections

179. (1) A local government shall be elected democratically, and such election shall take place in terms of an applicable law and at intervals of not less than three and not more than five years: Provided that the first local government elections after the commencement of this Constitution shall take place on the same day.

(2) The electoral system for a local government shall include both proportional and ward representation and shall be regulated by a law referred to in subsection (1).

(3) Subject to section 6, every natural person shall be entitled to vote in an election of a local government if he or she—