Like all other levels of government, local government is responsible for the quality of its governance. Other levels of government judge local government by its capacity to comply with the full range of regulatory requirements imposed upon it. The result is an undue emphasis on compliance at the expense not only of effectiveness but also creativity. Regulatory compliance calls for sound judgement if a local council is not to become paralysed or overly politicised.
Councillors and staff fully aware of the nature of their roles, functions and responsibilities are well placed to exercise their powers properly and make decisions with fairness in the interest of natural justice. An excessively literal approach to the correctness exemplified by laws, regulations, codes and policies creates a political advantage that might not otherwise be taken. While claims of breaches must be addressed in the prescribed manner,education and guidance by management minimise enticing political opportunities.
The challenge that regulatory requirements of other levels of government offers is for management to create an environment where education, guidance and lateral thinking flourish. In such an environment, regulatory compliance requirements reveal legitimate and worthwhile opportunities for innovation.