Functions of local authorities

Subject to the provisions of this Act, a local authority shall have all the powers of a corporate body and shall, in particular, have such functions as are necessary to further most effectively its purpose and, in particular :

          (a) to develop, implement and monitor its strategic plans and budgets;

          (b) to plan for and provide services and facilities for the local community;

          (c) to raise revenue to enable the local authority to perform its functions;

          (d) to develop, implement and monitor its corporate
               and financial management control techniques;

          (e) to establish norms and standards in the conduct of its affairs;

          (f) to exercise, perform and discharge the duties, functions and powers
              under this Act or any other enactment relating to local authorities
              or any regulations made thereunder; and

          (g) to do such things are as incidental or conducive
              to the performance of any of its functions under the Act.

A local authority shall, within the limits of the area under its jurisdiction, be responsible for :

          (a) subject to the Roads Act -

                            (i) the cleaning and lighting of all motorways and main roads;
                           (ii) the construction, care, maintenance, improvement,
                               cleaning and lighting of all public roads and traffic signs;
                          (iii) the removal from any public place or road of any dead animal
                               and the safe disposal of any carcase or dead body of such animal;

          (b) ensuring compliance with the Food Act, concurrently with the authorised
              officers designated by the Permanent Secretary of the
              Ministry responsible for the subject of health;

          (c) subject to any regulations made under section 48(3),
               the collection and conveyance of waste to disposal sites;

          (d) the undertaking of works of afforestation, terracing and tree planting alongside public roads,
              and for the purpose of such planting, it may cut and remove any tree growing
              within 7 feet of any public road unless the owner of the land bordering such road elects
              to cut and remove the tree himself within such time as may be fixed by the local authority; 

         (e) the provision, maintenance, management and regulation of public markets, fairs,
             other than trade fairs and exhibitions organised with the approval of the
             Minister of Commerce pursuant to the Consumer Protection (Trade Fair and Exhibition) Regulations 2003,
             or other enactment, and places of public auction;

         (f) the construction, control, care, management, maintenance, improvement
            and cleansing of all pavements, drains, bridges, beds and banks of lakes, rivulets and streams;

        (g) the construction, care, management, maintenance, improvement,
            cleansing and lighting of squares, open spaces, parks, gardens, bus shelters,
            public buildings including lavatories, baths and swimming pools, open and
            dedicated to the use of the public, except such public buildings
            which are the property of  the State;

       (h) the construction, management, maintenance and improvement of public libraries,
           exhibition halls and art galleries, theatres, places of public entertainment, playing fields,
           cemeteries and cremation grounds, nurseries for infants and pre-primary schools;

                             (i) the formulation and implementation, particularly in deprived regions, of policies aiming to respond better to –
                            (ii) poverty and exclusion - related problems;
                           (iii) the safeguard and promotion of the rights and welfare of children living within its administrative area;

       (j)   the control of premises used for commercial, industrial, professional and other related activities;

       (k)  the construction of commercial, industrial, professional and residential buildings,
             the management, maintenance and improvement of municipal estates;

       (l)   the provision, maintenance, control and management of parking places for vehicles;

       (m) the control of pollution causing a public or private nuisance;

       (n)  the licensing, regulation and control of the conduct of business activities within its administrative area;

       (o)  the promotion of sports development and the organisation of sports activities,
             including the sponsoring and “ patronage” of any formation capable  of representing
             the town or district at local, regional and international levels;

       (p) the provision of infrastructure for leisure and cultural activities to the inhabitants and
            the organisation of leisure, welfare and cultural activities;

       (q) the provision, maintenance, control and management of traffic centres,
            including bus stations, stands for lorries and other public vehicles;

       (r) necessary action to ensure that the buildings and plots of land along main roads
           and other frequented roads are properly kept, regularly maintained and embellished;

       (s) the preservation and regular proper maintenance of ancient monuments and old and historic buildings,
            in collaboration with their owners and relevant organisations;

       (t) the proper management and regular maintenance of assets handed over to it by any
           Ministry or Government Department as per the existing  Memorandum of Understanding,
           if any, signed by the Ministry or Department concerned and the local authority;

       (u) such other undertaking as may be approved by the Minister; and

       (v) such other duties as may be conferred upon it by any other enactment.