Belize is administratively divided into 6 districts which are subdivided into 2 city councils, 7 town councils, and village and community councils. There are two city councils Belize City and Belmopan and seven town councils in Belize. City and town councils consist of a mayor and a number of councillors ten in Belize City , six in Belmopan and the towns.
Mayors and councillors are directly elected to three-year terms, using the first past the post system. The most recent municipal elections were held in March The mayor except in Belize City acts as the chief executive of the city or town, and allocates portfolios to the other councillors.
City and town councils have a wide range of functions. According to the Government of Belize website, "urban authorities are responsible for street maintenance and lighting, drains , refuse collection and public cemeteries. They also have discretionary powers over other services including infrastructure , parks and playgrounds, markets and slaughter-houses, public libraries , public buildings and the amenities of the city or town centre.
Village councils began in the s and were formalised by the Village Councils Act which legalised their role and authority to administer village affairs. Villages are declared by ministerial order and one qualification for village status is a minimum of voters.
The council is required to meet at least once every quarter and has discretionary powers to appoint committees. Decisions of village committees are subject to the approval of their council. There are over village councils in Belize. Village councils consist of a chairperson and six councillors, who are directly elected by registered villagers. Village councils have existed in Belize on an informal basis since the s, but they were first put on a statutory footing by the Village Councils Act After the Act came into force, the first elections for village councils were held in March and April Village councils have a more limited range of functions than town councils.
