The Impact of local authority administration on its performance. a case of Mazowe Rural District Council

Abstract

This study analysed the impact of local authority administration on its performance using a case study of Mazowe Rural District Council. The study sought to analyse how local authority administration affects the performance of the organisation; to examine administrative factors which affect local authority performance; to evaluate the effectiveness of administrative institutional frameworks on ensuring sound local authority performance and to proffer solutions to enhance local authority performance. The literature highlighted local authority administration to be intricately linked to the overall performance of the organisation. However, various factors both internal and external had the propensity to affect administration which resultantly impact on the wholistic performance of the local authority. The study used case study of Mazowe Rural District Council using a qualitative methodology. Documentary search, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews formulated the basis of data gathering instruments. The study discovered that factors such as corruption, leadership attributes, lack of autonomy, poor revenue collection strategies, conflicts, lack of resources, bureaucratic inefficiencies, biased recruitment and poor remuneration impeded effective performance. The study concluded that these factors affected the overall performance of local authority through sabotage, low morale, loss of corporate integrity, poor services due to unsupervised work, slow decision making and inefficient oversight frameworks to ensure sound performance. To that end, the study recommended target-based performance management system, training and development, establishment of sound regulatory and oversight frameworks, motivation, public private partnerships and adoption of conflict resolution policy