One of the main roles of elected members is to make decisions on behalf of the local community. This is done at council meetings [see Local Government Act 1999 (SA) Chapter 6, Part 1]. Councils meet regularly, at least once a month [s 81(2)], and these meetings are open to the public [s 90(1)]. The agenda, or list of issues for discussion at the meeting, is made available to the public in advance so that the community knows which issues are being discussed [s 84].

In special circumstances, parts of a council meeting may be closed to the public, when matters of a confidential nature are being discussed [s 90(2)-(3)]. This might include an individual's financial circumstances, a particular staff member or legal matters. A person who enters (or tries to remain in) a meeting aware that an order has been made for a closed meeting is guilty of an offence and can face a penalty of up to $500 [s 90(5)]. If that person fails to leave the room when requested, an employee of the council or a police officer may use reasonable force to remove them from the room [s 90(5)].

Council meeting procedures and rules

Council meetings are presided over and guided by the mayor of the council, and follow formal meeting procedures [Local Government Act 1999 (SA) s 86, Local Government (Procedures at Meetings) Regulations 2013 (SA)]. These procedures ensure all elected members have a chance to speak about the issues and that all the listed agenda items are discussed.

Each agenda item has a question of council called a motion and councillors must vote. When decisions need to be made, the mayor calls for a vote. Members of the council (not including the mayor or presiding member of the meeting), have the opportunity to vote with the outcome being decided by the majority decision [Local Government Act 1999 (SA) s 86(4)]. The mayor (or, if absent, the presiding member of the meeting) does not vote on an issue unless the vote is tied. In this instance the mayor (or presiding member) will make the casting vote to achieve an outcome [s 86(6)].

Member conflicts of interest

Council members must make sure there is no conflict between their personal, professional or financial interests and their public role as a decision maker. They do this by declaring and managing conflicts appropriately.

Council members must disclose sources of income and any affiliations [Local Government Act 1999 (SA) s 68]. These are then published online in a register of interests [s 70].

From time to time, a council member may consider that their involvement in a particular council decision could be viewed as a conflict of interest. Council members are required by law to disclose any conflict of interest they may have [ss 75B and 75C].

A council member has a material conflict of interest in a council matter if the member, or a person or organisation associated with the member (such as a family member), would gain a benefit, or suffer a loss, depending on the outcome of the matter being determined [s 75]. The benefit or loss can be personal or financial. For example, the council may be discussing a development application that has been submitted by a close relative of a council member. Having disclosed a material conflict of interest, a member must leave the room in which the discussion is taking place such that they cannot see or hear the discussion and vote [s 75C]. The member is not allowed to vote on the particular issue.

A council member has a general conflict of interest in a council matter if an impartial, fair-minded person might consider the member’s private interests may result in the member acting contrary to their public duty [s 74]. A member is not prohibited from voting on a matter despite there being a general conflict of interest, although there are strict reporting obligations if the member chooses to vote (or is required to vote to maintain a quorum) [s 75B].

Under section 75A and regulation 8AAA of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2013 (SA), certain matters are excluded from the conflict of interest requirements. This includes matters that apply to all or a substantial portion of ratepayers, electors or residents, and policies relating to allowances and benefits payable to council members (provided it applies to all members equally). It is also possible for a council member to attend a meeting even if they have a material conflict of interest but written approval by the Minister for Local Government is required [Local Government Act 1999 (SA) s 75C(3)].

Council members are required to disclose the details of any gift or benefit received of an amount greater than the prescribed amount ($50 from 17 November 2022), and a register of gifts and benefits is to be maintained by each council [s 72A(4)].

Member behavioural standards

Council members must also meet clear behavioural standards and council codes of conduct. The Behavioural Standards for Council Members (PDF download, 156 KB) came into operation on 17 November 2022 and set out minimum standards of behaviour that are expected of all council members in the performance of their official functions and duties. They are mandatory rules and all council members must comply with them.

Request by members of the public to address meetings

As well as attending council meetings, members of the public may also make a prior written request for permission to speak at a council meeting (known as a deputation) [Local Government (Procedures at Meetings) Regulations 2013 (SA) reg 11]. Each council will have a policy on how it deals with requests from residents to address the council, which is available on its website.

Members of the public can also raise concerns about issues in their area at council meetings by submitting a petition or participating in the meeting’s public question time. See the council website for more information.

Committee meetings

As well as council meetings, councils also have committee meetings [see Local Government Act 1999 (SA) Chapter 6, Part 2]. These committees are established to perform a specific function on behalf of the council and support council decision making. Committee meetings allow time for more detailed discussion on particular subjects or issues, such as risk and audit, grants, and fire safety. The committees make recommendations to the council, where the decisions are voted upon in council meetings. In some cases, certain decisions can be delegated to these committees or even to individual council officers.

Information and briefing sessions

A council, or the chief executive officer of the council, may hold information and briefing sessions. These sessions require more than 1 member of the council or a council committee to be invited to attend or be involved for the purposes of providing information or a briefing to attendees [Local Government Act 1999 (SA) s 90A(1)].

Decisions cannot be made at information or briefing sessions [s 90A(2)]. Decisions by councils can only be made at formal meetings. Council’s meeting procedures do not apply to information or briefing sessions and no minutes are recorded.

A council information or briefing session must be conducted in a place open to the public during any period in which a matter that is, or is intended to be, on the agenda for a formal meeting of the council or a council committee is discussed at the session [s 90A(3)]. Some exceptions apply [see s 90A(4)].

Community consultation

Councils consult with their communities to make important decisions, such as setting annual business plans and budgets and managing parks and public spaces. Councils are required to comply with the Community Engagement Charter (PDF download, 255KB). The Charter sets principles about how councils engage with their communities and lists minimum actions that councils must comply with to meet these standards. It came into operation on 11 December 2025.

Further information

Local councils publish relevant information, policies and by-laws online on their websites.