b. Proper Officer

‘Proper officer’ is a title used in statute.  It refers to the appropriate officer for the relevant function.

A council is required to appoint a Proper Officer for certain statutory functions.   Section 270 (3) of the Local Government Act 1972 “defines the Proper Officer” as a reference to an officer appointed for that purpose, meaning for example it could have a separate Clerk, RFO and even a separate committees Clerk.

A Proper Officer’s statutory obligations are outlined in a Council’s Standing Orders.