DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Provincial Comments on the

Draft National Framework for the Implementation of

Funding Models for Wards

Presentation to Premier’s Co-ordinating Forum17 March 2010

Draft Framework for Ward Funding

• The Department of Local Government & Housing has considered the Draft Framework for Ward Funding

• The Department facilitated ward summits in four districts in the past year, and these were attended by ward councillors, committee members and relevant municipal officials.

• The comments below are based upon the discussions during the summits and comments from Municipal Managers at the PAFTECH held on 2 June 2009

General Comments on Draft Framework

• It is imperative for municipalities to ensure that ward committees are adequately supported.– Ward committees are important in that they encourage community

involvement in issues of governance and decision making.

– Ward committees provide a mechanism not only for broader community participation but also for civil society participation

– Ward committees can provide inputs to municipal planning if they are fully supported.

• The Department has been providing support to four district municipalities and some sub-councils in the City in community-based planning.

Comments: Funding Framework

• Municipalities must ensure that the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by ward committee members are reimbursed e.g. transport, communication costs

• The manner in which municipalities reimburse for out-of-pocket expenses should be left to municipalities rather than to be prescribed

• It is important to ensure that the ward committee system is underpinned by a spirit of voluntarism rather than guaranteed allowances that can lead to unnecessary contestation of ward committee membership of all residents.

• The approach chosen by a municipality (to reimbursing out-of-pocket expenses) must be supported by its financial means

Comments: Proposed Indicators

No Process indicator Output indicator Verifiable Source or Proof

1

Ward councillor and ward committee members to schedule sector and community report back meetings

Accountability to community andsector they represent

Report to be submitted to theoffice of the Speaker and publicparticipation official

2

Each ward committee member to have a subcommittee or portfolio committee for sector reportbacks

Direct accountability to the sector.Sectors to identify issues directlyaffecting them.

Schedule of sector meetingsAttendance registerMinutes of meetings

3

Each ward committee to have a deputy chairperson elected from ward committeemembers

Ensure continuity at ward committee meeting

Agenda and minutes of wardcommittee meetings

4

Matters of service delivery emanating from the ward committee meetings are taken forward by the municipality.

Clear timeframes for municipal response onward issues

Issues to be an item on thecouncil agenda. Reduction in community protests

Ward councillor to report back toward committee members and sectors on issues raised.

5Introduction of ward committee members

Know your ward committee member campaign

6Municipalities to adopt and implement Community Based Planning

Active community participation in municipal IDP processes

Community plans incorporated into IDPs

Process going forward

• A comprehensive set of ward committee functionality indicators will be finalised

• The Department will consult with all municipalities, organised local government and civil society in the development of a Provincial Framework

• The Department will continue providing support to municipalities in community-based planning

QUESTIONS?