Delegations and authorisations are the mechanism by which the Council enables its officers to act on its behalf by devolving responsibility for decision making downwards through the organisation. Delegations are a fundamental part of good governance and play an important role in ensuring that Council is acting in accordance with the legal and policy framework that applies to it.
Delegations and authorisations enable Council to carry out its functions and to be accountable for the decisions and actions taken on its behalf under specific legislative provisions. Those tasked with the responsibility to carry out a function should have the corresponding authority to carry it out.
It is important that delegations and authorisations are managed effectively to ensure decisions are validly made by a lawfully appointed delegate or authorised officer.