Local Government

Untitled Document

BACKGROUND

Lesotho held its first ever local government elections on 30 April 2005. The elections were a major step towards institutionalising grassroots democracy through direct and active involvement of Basotho in their own governance >>

STRUCTURE

Each Community Council is composed of between nine and 15 elected councillors and a maximum of two chiefs who are nominated by the gazetted chiefs in that Community Council area. Community Councils perform a range of functions as specified in the Second Schedule of the Local Government Act. In the interim phase, due to the immediate challenges posed by inadequate resources and capacities, Community Councils access staff and other resources from District Councils >>.

Council Processes

Councils transact their business in meetings. Section 18 of the Local Government Act, as amended, stipulates that >>

Powers of Councils to make By Laws

Section 42 under part IV of the Local Governments Act 1997 gives every Council powers to “make >>

Planning

Local authorities must prepare two plans every year,>>

Local Government staff

Each District has a District Administrator appointed by the Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship in consultation with the Prime Minister>>

FUNCTIONS

The thrust of local government, as envisaged by the Government of Lesotho, is to improve service delivery and bring services closer to the people . >>

Planning

Local authorities must prepare two plans every year, an Annual Plan and a Progress Report. The purpose of both is to check whether projects are appropriate and if targets are met.