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 Forum
17 March 2010
Draft Framework for Ward Funding
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The Department of Local Government & Housing has considered the
Draft Framework for Ward Funding
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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.
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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
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It is imperative for municipalities to ensure that ward committees are
adequately supported.
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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
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Municipalities must ensure that the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by ward
committee members are reimbursed e.g. transport, communication costs
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The manner in which municipalities reimburse for out-of-pocket expenses
should be left to municipalities rather than to be prescribed
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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.
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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 and
sector they represent
Report to be submitted to the
office of the Speaker and public
participation official
Each ward committee member to have a
subcommittee or portfolio committee for
sector reportbacks
2
Direct accountability to the sector.
Sectors to identify issues directly
affecting them.
3
Each ward committee to have a deputy
chairperson elected from ward committee
members
Ensure continuity at ward
committee meeting
4
Matters of service delivery emanating from the
ward committee meetings are taken
forward by the municipality.
Clear timeframes for municipal response on
ward issues
Issues to be an item on the
council agenda.
Reduction in community protests
Introduction of ward committee members
Know your ward committee
member campaign
Municipalities to adopt and implement
Community Based Planning
Active community participation in
municipal IDP processes
5
6
Schedule of sector meetings
Attendance register
Minutes of meetings
Agenda and minutes of ward
committee meetings
Ward councillor to report back to
ward committee members and
sectors on issues raised.
Community plans incorporated into
IDPs
Process going forward
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A comprehensive set of ward committee functionality indicators will be
finalised
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The Department will consult with all municipalities, organised local
government and civil society in the development of a Provincial
Framework
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The Department will continue providing support to municipalities in
community-based planning
QUESTIONS?