Duty type definitions

Duties in the portal are grouped into four duty types - Compliance, Organisational, Public Facing and Public Impact - to categorise duties in a clear and consistent way, helping users understand both the nature of the duty and its role in how councils operate and deliver outcomes. Duties and powers have been classified using a best-fit approach. This is not always clear-cut, as some duties and powers share characteristics across more than one type. The definition of each category is set out below.

  • Compliance

    Activities required to meet legal, regulatory, or statutory obligations, ensuring duties are carried out in line with laws, policies, and formal standards.

  • Public impact

    Work that directly affects the outcomes, experiences, or wellbeing of people and communities, contributing to positive change or reducing harm and inequality.

  • Organisational

    Activities that support how the organisation functions, including governance, planning, workforce development, and internal processes that enable services to operate effectively.

  • Public facing

    Work that involves direct interaction with the public, partners, or communities, including communication, engagement, service delivery, and responding to public needs.