Editorial | Councillor guidelines are a means to an end
- The dos and don’ts set out for district councillors are a way to show that they are more than just patriots supporting the government and that they can make a real difference in people’s lives
It says a lot about the changing political landscape when the performance of district councillors are subject to government monitoring and punishment.
The new guidelines governing the dos and don’ts for members of the revamped lower-tier structure are considered necessary steps to enhance district administration under the “patriots-only” governance approach.
Hopefully, it will help the councils live up to public expectations.
Some rules are just a given, such as an attendance rate of at least 80 per cent of the meetings and office opening of no fewer than 40 hours per week, including at least four hours during weekday evenings, weekends and public holidays.
Members are also required to submit annual work reports and participate in the weekly meet-the-public scheme and at least six activities organised or co-organised by the respective District Offices each year.
But the government is also targeting actions adopted by opposition members in the past, such as disrupting order, insulting members and officials and obstructing them from attending or leaving the meetings.
