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. Duty types are intended to indicate the primary nature of a duty or power. Many duties could reasonably fall within more than one category, and classifications should be viewed as indicative rather than definitive.

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.