INDUCTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

COUNCILS

Session 1.2: Salient features of The Local

Government Act, Cap 243
JANUARY- FEBRUARY 2017

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 Session Objectives

 To identify the legal provisions for decentralisation

 Understand the legal framework governing the powers and functions devolved

to Local Governments

 Mention the roles, responsibilities and functions of Statutory Bodies, Councils

and Committees of Local Governments.

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 Session Outline

 Salient features of the LGA CAP 243

 Key issues in the LGA CAP 243

 Local Government Setup, Functions and Powers

 Powers Devolved to Local Governments

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 Salient features of The Local Governments Act,
Cap 243

 Purpose of the Act

 The seven Parts of the Act-Parts I , II, III,IV, V, VIII, and x

 Schedules to the Act- First , Third, Fourth, Fifth and Seventh

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 Key Issues in the Local Governments Act
 Establishment of a Local Government (s.3-s.8,s23)

 Establishment of Administrative Units (s.45-s51)

 Setup of Local Governments (s.9-s.10,s.22)

 Roles and Responsibilities in Local Governments

(s.11,s.13,s.15,s.19,s.52,s.62-s.63,s.69-s.71)

 Functions and Powers of Local Governments (s.30-s.33,s.35-s.44)

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 Key Issues cont’d

 Local Government Accounts (s.83-s.88)

 Inspection, Monitoring and Coordination of Local Governments (s.95-

s.100A)

 Local Government Elections (s.101-s.172)

 Miscellaneous Provisions (s.173-s.188) 6

 Local Government set up , functions and
powers
 A Council is the highest political authority (s.9)

 Membership is by direct elections save for interest groups (s. 116 and
118)

 Councils must protect the Constitution (s.30 -7)

 Councils must have the Speaker and Deputy( s.11, 23A)

 No Council member shall belong to more than one Standing

Committee (s.22 -3) 7
 Open discussion

What are the devolved powers to Local Governments?

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 Powers Devolved to Local Governments

Planning powers; s.35, s.36(2)

Legislative powers; passing Ordinances. Scrutiny and

certification before implementation is by the Attorney
General (s.38 and the Third Schedule)

Human Resource Management Function

Financial Powers; s. 78, s.79, s.80 (1) 9

 Powers Devolved to Local Governments cont’d

Promotion of Transparency; Contracts Committee s.91, DSC s.45(1) ,

LGPAC s.88(1), Internal Audit s.89 (1) and Auditor General s.86-s.87
Inspection, Monitoring and Coordination of Local Governments; s.95

Political Accountability;s.90 (technical and political offices) and s.1(4)

(5) provides that the Chairperson shall be answerable to the Council
and shall report to Council.

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THANK YOU

END

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