Overview 

The Newcastle Municipality is a Category B Municipality as determined by the Demarcation Board in terms of Section 4 of the Municipal Structures Act, 1998. The Municipality functions under the Collective Executive system, consisting of 9 members. The Mayor is elected from the Executive Committee (EXCO). The Council consists of 61 Councillors of which 10 are full-time councillors. Of the 61 Councillors, 31 are Ward elected councillors with the remaining 30 elected as Proportional Representation councillors. The Council has nine portfolio standing committees, with each member of EXCO serving as a portfolio councillor. 

Functional Analysis 

In order to maximise administrative and operational efficiency, all powers subject to section 32 of the Local Government Municipal Structures Act 1998, not otherwise delegated, have been delegated to the Executive Committee excluding the following: 

• Approval of an Integrated Development Plan

• Passing of by laws

• Approval of budgets

• Imposition of rates and other taxes, levies and tariffs

• Raising of loans 

Albeit that, the municipality was initially established as type 9(a) Municipality i.e. a municipality with a collective executive system. An application has been submitted to the MEC to reclassify the municipality to a type 9 (b) i.e. a municipality with a collective executive committee systems and ward participatory systems to cater for the formalisation and establishment of ward committees. This was approved in the year under review with strategies to establish ward committees in the 2005/2006 Financial year. The following councillors have been designated as full time councillors: 

• The Mayor

• The Speaker

• Members of the Executive Committee 

The Speaker is also Chairperson of the Whips Committee 

Shunmugam M Cllr Speaker: 

According to the quota system, representation at Amajuba District Municipality has been determined as follows: 

• ANC seats

• DA seats

• IFP seats 

For the purpose of formulating policy for eventual adoption by council, nine portfolio standing committees have been established, one for each directorate