Date Range1870-1991DescriptionThe Town Clerk was responsible for all matters relating to the administration of the Council affairs. In 1882 this meant acting for Council in certain legal proceedings, managing the Burgess Roll, organising and recording Council meetings, inspecting accounts of the Treasurer, and issuing licences.
In March 1965, the City Solicitor's Department was abolished as a separate department and made a legal branch within the Town Clerk's Department. A B Thomson became City Solicitor (Council's senior legal advisor) until his retirement in July 1968.
In April 1973 the functions of the Town Clerk's Department and the City Treasurer's Department were combined to form the Department of Administration and Finance. The Town Clerk remained as the administrative head of these sections.
In 1985 the Council approved to split Administration and Finance back into two separate units.
In June 1987 the title of City Secretary was created, taking over some functions of the Deputy Town Clerk (Administration); the Personnel Manager was re-designated Deputy City Secretary responsible for training and personnel. Housing and Property functions were removed to a separate department.
By January 1987, the Town Clerk's Office, and the three departments of Administration, Management Resources and Finance were functioning separately. The Town Clerk also controlled a central policy unit and internal audit functions. Though records were controlled by the Administration Department, they were still referred to as the Town Clerk's records, as separate from those records systems for other divisions such as Works, and Town Planning.
In 1991 the Council was restructured following the passing of the Local Government Amendment Act 1989 and the Town Clerk became the Chief Executive Officer.
