Multiple Roles of Local Authority

Some time if we are playing multiple roles, we tend to confuse ourselves as when is the good time to wear an appropriate hat with the right role. For instance, if you are the beneficiary and at the same time as the authority, you might have given self-interest as top priority without even realising it. After all as human we tend to look after own skirt first before considering the interest of others. This is called common sense.

However when it comes to public affair, separation of roles have to be seen clearly and perceived as such. It is important to make it transparent enough for everyone to visualise the roles and functions of an authority has been carried out faithfully and with just. For example, in delivering services, equal distribution of resources without fear and favour is the order.

Having said this, sometime we tend to confuse ourselves on our role and the sequence of events that taken precedence. This, in turn disrupt the right procedure. For example, local authority as the licensing authority, has sometime double up as the owner of facilities. Under this circumstances and in the case of public stall owned by the local authority, the approval for renting the stall should come first prior to the consideration for trading license. Both can be considered concurrently but licensing should not take precedence. Similarly for the application on billboard license on local authority-owned facilities such as overhead bridge and pedestrian overhead walkway. The applicants should apply to rent the facilities from the local authority as the owner first prior to the license application.

As the role of local authority emerges from services providers and regulators to facilitators and enablers for development, multiple roles will be encountered more than often. I presume it is good and timely for the local authority to distinguish it roles and functions clearly and precisely.