Local authorities support the Cathaoirleach (chair person) and mayor by managing invitations to functions, hosting delegations and civic receptions, and supporting the official business of the office.
Local authorities prepare five year plans to outline their vision, policies and objectives for the local authority's long term direction. You can have an input into the plans through consultation.
Local authorities set up and support corporate policy groups to coordinate the work carried out by strategic policy committees and recommend agreed overall policy to the council.
Local authorities support councillors in their role as elected representatives and policy makers by providing information about day to day local authority services, responding to questions and notices of motion, and supporting their work on council committees.
You can send a written complaint to the local authority if you feel you have been treated unfairly or not in line with the local authority's customer service charter.
You can send the local authority a request to access your personal data, to check if data about you exists, be told of the content and source of personal data, and update, correct or delete your personal data.
You can send the local authority a request to access official records. You can also ask that your personal records are amended or deleted if they are incorrect or misleading. You have the right to request reasons for decisions taken by the local authority which affect you and the right to appeal the decision.
Local authorities prepare plans to identify electoral areas, electoral divisions, polling districts and townlands for Dáil (national parliament) and local elections, and the appointed polling place for each polling district. You can have an input into the plans through consultation.
Local authorities respond to requests from councillors and Oireachtas members on behalf of members of the public about local authority services they want to access or which may affect them.