Nurturing Social Accountability In Urban Councils. The Case Of Norton Town Council

ABSTRACT

Norton Ton Council has over the past two decades plagued corruption and mismanagement

by both elected and non-elected officials. Resultantly service delivery has been has been very

poor as the interests of the residents are cast aside. The study therefore focused on the

nurturing of social accountability at Norton Town Council. The study sought to examine and

assess the extent to which social accountability was being promoted at the local authority. A

descriptive research design was used using qualitative research approaches since the

research required a better understanding and need to get a dimension of human expression

and experience. Primary data for the research was obtained from semi structured interviews

and questionnaires which were used on 50 of the target population that included council

employees and residents. Secondary data was gathered from internet sources and council

archives. Data was analysed using thematic analysis mode. The target population was

selected using the non-probability sampling techniques like purposive, convenience and

simple random sampling. Research findings indicated that Norton Town Council was finding

it difficult to nurture social accountability. This was evaluated and measured on how the

town Council applied social accountability mechanisms like budget reviews, periodic

elections, and community score cards among others. The findings suggested feelings of

overwhelming discontent among residents about the service delivery they were being offered

by the municipality. Residents highlighted issues of corruption, conflict between elected and

non-elected officials, lack of resources and central government influence as one of the major

causes that were undermining the nurturing of social accountability at the town Council. The

research recommends increased information accessibility to residents so that they are aware

of what will be happening at the Council. There is also need to train officials at the council

on social accountability since the majority of them were not aware of the phenomenon. Thus,

inevitably they were finding it difficult to nurture it.