The reality of local government’s closeness to the people is reflected in the visibility of its works and services, the transparency of its actions and processes and the proximity of elected representatives to their electorates. Surrounded by the results of their council’s effort, ratepayers and residents can see instantly where their money has been spent - roads constructed and maintained, trees planted, rubbish removed and recycled, buildings approved, drainage constructed, traffic facilities, parks, gardens and playing fields, child care centres, libraries and public buildings.
Local government’s ability to measure so readily the extent of community satisfaction with its effort presents worthwhile challenges. They include planning whole cities, making regions,suburbs and towns more livable, developing communities, managing the natural and the built environment, public health and safety issues, social justice and economic development.
Sometimes local government is able to do what state and federal governments and their agencies cannot do. Global mayors in mega cities and local presidents of the most remote rural districts alike can bring new meaning to the concept of grass roots politics.Local government has the power to raise seemingly unattractive and trivial services to a higher level of meaning and significance.
In a superb position to tap into its very own human resource of community, it brings together its its people – residents, staff, elected members of all levels of government ,organizations and businesses alike.
It is also the role of elected officials and staff to adjudicate disputes and approve or refuse applications. Local businesses, institutions, properties, industries, farms and residences may have to be inspected, their owners met and issues of amenity and development addressed. This is a privileged opportunity to see at first hand inner workings of the diverse range of situations, issues and people that make up any community. Acting in this hands-on capacity with dignity, councillors become intimately acquainted with the nature of their local area and its people. The experience is ennobling .