councildriven

Council-driven is an adjective used to describe governance where elected councils or boards set policy, priorities, and oversight. Implementation is carried out by an appointed administration or executive within the framework established by the council. The term is sometimes written as councildriven in some sources.

In municipal and other public-sector contexts, a council-driven model emphasizes the primacy of the legislative body in approving budgets, long-term plans, major projects, and statutory changes, with the chief administrator or mayor or CEO responsible for executing within council-approved parameters. The term also applies to school boards and nonprofit boards that are dominated by elected representatives or member appointees.

In practice, council-driven governance relies on formal mechanisms such as public meetings, committee structures, policy debates, amendments, and votes. Public consultation and transparency are often featured to align decisions with democratic accountability and community interests.

Advantages include accountability to voters, clear policy direction, and effective oversight of the executive. Potential drawbacks include slower decision-making, risk of political conflict, and tension between policy aims and administrative feasibility.

The term is frequently contrasted with executive-driven or manager-driven models, where a chief executive or city manager holds more discretion in policy implementation within a council-approved framework. Related concepts include governance, local government, and participatory budgeting.