Local Authorities

Local authorities

• Can be a city ( e.g. Harare City Council), rural ( e.g. Mutasa District Council) or district council.
• Are controlled by the central government.
• Owned by the local government.
• Set up to administer a city, rural or district council.
• They provide amenities to the communities they serve e.g. refuse collection, water purification, sewage disposal, road construction etc.
• Their affairs are run by councillors who are elected by the residents of the communities which said authorities serve.
• Affairs and accounts are made public.
• They set by-laws.
• Their powers are limited by Acts of Parliament e.g. the Urban Councils Act.

Sources of Revenue

• Local authorities raise revenue through:
• rents, rates and licences.
• Taxes (levies) and subsidies from government.
• Fines, profits and fees.
• Sale and servicing of land.

To access more topics go to the Commerce Notes page.