These are permanent committees that deal with council matters. They have some decision-making powers related to the legislative branch of council.

The standing committees are:

Rules

• Developing and approving rules for proceedings
• Determining focus areas in respect of councillors' responsibilities
• Allocation of membership to the various committees

Petitions and Public

Ensuring proper and timeous responses to petitions directed to the City's departments and entities

Ensuring enhancement of public participation, with rigorous monitoring of all public participation processes and systems

Monitoring of the functioning of ward committees

Ensuring incorporation of ward needs into the council
 

Ethics/Disciplinary

• Ensuring declarations of the financial interest committee
• Ensuring compilation of the Register of Financial Interest on an annual basis
• Considering any alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct by councillors

Programming

• Considering and approving items/motions on the council agenda
• Agreeing on the allocation of speaking time for the items and motions contained in the council agenda

Public Accounts

• Provision of political oversight to financial management and accounts
• Ensuring that residents of the City of Johannesburg get "value for money"

Audit

• The committee serves as a link between the council, departmental heads, internal and external auditors municipal entities
• The committee reviews the financial reporting by the external auditors as well as the activities of internal audit
• It provides independent oversight over financial management and accounts