“ THE CORNERST STONE NE OF COMMUNIT UNITY Y PARTICIPATION” 28 July 2017 …….. 1
Background 1. Legislations 2. Policy on Ward Committees 3. Establishment of Ward Committees 4. Administrative and Logistical support 5. Institutionalizing Ward committee functionality 6. 2
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is located in Eastern region of Gauteng Province It mainly borders Mpumalanga and Gauteng Provinces respectively It is demarcated into 112 wards and 224 councilors with its Head Offices at Germiston Precinct. It is a manufacturing hub of the Province Its population is estimated at 4 million O. R Tambo international Airport is located in Ekurhuleni and pride itself of its airways, railways and freeways to interconnect all modes of transport. Its Governance Model is based on Separation of Powers (SOP) that is of the separated authority between the Executive and the Legislature 3
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 Section 152 (1), the objects of local government are – (e) to encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in the matters of local government Municipal Structures Act, 117 of 1998 Section 73 (2), A ward committee consists of – (a) the councillor representing the ward in the council, who must also be the chairperson of the committee: and (b) not more than 10 other persons Section 73 (3), A metro or local council must make rules regulating – (a) the procedure to elect subsection (2) (b) members of a ward committee, taking into account the need – i. For women to be equitably represented in a ward committee; and ii. For a diversity of interests in the ward to be represented (b) the circumstances under which those members must vacate office; and (c) the frequency of meetings of ward committees Section 73 (4), A metro or local council may make administrative arrangements to enable ward committees to perform their functions and exercise their powers effectively 4
Municipal Structures Act, 117 of 1998 Section 74, a ward committee – (a) may make recommendations on any matter affecting its ward – I. to the ward councillor; or II. through the ward councillor, to the metro or local council, the executive committee, the executive mayor or … (b) has such duties and powers as the metro or local council may delegate to it in terms of section 59 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems (act 32 of 2000). Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000 Chapter 4, ss (16-22): Development of culture of community participation 16(1) “ A municipality must develop a culture of municipal governance that complements formal representative government with a system of participatory governance …” 17 (2) “A municipality must establish appropriate mechanisms, processes and procedures to enable the local community to participate in the affairs of the municipality …” 5
The Ekurhuleni in complying with the provisions of the act, adopted a ward committee policy. The objective of the policy is to establish uniform rules to regulate the processes, procedures and guidelines for establishment and effective and efficient functionality of ward committees within the regulatory frameworks. The policy also sets out the roles and responsibilities of all authorities and stakeholders in relation to the ward committee establishment, functionality and accountability. The policy elucidates the critical aspect of provisioning of administrative and logistical support in line with the provisions of the National Framework: Criteria for determining payment of out of pocket expense for ward committees to execute their mandate. 6
To enhance public participatory democracy and governance in local government To coordinate the interests of the ward sectors and recommend any matter that affects the ward to the Municipal Council through the ward councillor To participate in the drafting of IDP and Budget policies and deliverables To assist the ward councillor in resolving matters that affect the ward To adhere and oblige to processes and procedures set by the Council. 7
The Municipality has established 110 Ward Committees established out of 112 between October 2016 and March 2017 The Council further extended the period to finalize the 2 remaining committees to be finalised by September 2017 after the objections have been resolved. The ward committees are elected on a sector approach and consists of the following Council approved sectors: o Women and Children o Youth o Aged and Disability o Faith Based Organisation o Infrastructure Services o Economic Development and City Planning o Environmental Services o Health and Social Development o Community Safety o Sports, Heritage, Recreation, Arts and Culture 8
The ward committees are convening monthly meetings to process service delivery and developmental matters (IDP) affecting its communities. The ward committee refers matters to department for attention through a designed management system for them to promptly intervene and act on them. The consolidated report of all ward committees is submitted quarterly to the dedicated Standing Committee on Public Participation and Petitions for accountability to Council. The aforementioned Committee on consideration of the report refers unresolved matters to the relevant and related Oversight Committees for scrutiny and oversight. In a nutshell, the ward committees are expected to report and account to Council on its activities and the Municipality should be able to assist the process from end to end. 9
Facilitate and monitor the establishment of ward committees in the ward. Create a ward database of all sectors and stakeholders in the ward Support ward committees administratively to develop and sustain the annual plan Coordinate ward committee,public meetings and IDP workshops Report on activities of ward committees Distribute and disseminate information for ward committees Coordinate the induction and capacitation of ward committees Collate and disseminate information on projects to ward councillor and the ward committee Support ward councillor and ward committee with secretarial services and logistics Collate the process for out pocket payment for ward committee members Keep a proper record system Attend to queries relating to service delivery Liaise with departments on behalf of the ward councillor. Coordinate public participation programmes, events and activities and engagements with stakeholders to promote participatory governance Assist in coordination of Civic education and citizenship programmes. Provide office space and tools of trade for ward councilors in accordance with the Upper limits regulations 10
1x DIVI VISIONAL L HEAD 1x SECRETARY 2x Publ blic c 1x Snr nr Speci cial alist st 6x Regional nal Manag nagers ers 1x Manag ager: : Partici cipa pation n and d Civic c Educat ucation n Outreach ach Petitions ns & Hear earing ngs and d Citizen enshi ship Coordinat nator Seni nior Admi min n Administr trati tive ve Ward Coordinato tor 4x Petitions ns Offi fice cer Officer X 27 and d Hear aring ng X2 X2 X 6 Offi fice cers Ward Secreta taries X 27 11
Build a strong sense of political culture and socialisation for sustenance of our constitutional democracy Adopt a posture acknowledging that dispositions that inform our democratic principles are not inherited but continuously transferred between generations Build a body of knowledge through education to benefit the legislative sector Inculcate a sense of ownership and viewing our municipality as an institution of peoples power by consistently communicating, engaging and involving stakeholders, organized formations and other sectors of the community Resuscitate public confidence towards our municipality by understanding our operations and protocols as inherent in the processes of decision making Strengthen the public participation strategies in governance processes Share knowledge and skills required for meaningful and effective public participation Bridge the existing gap between theory and knowledge (Legislation and Policy in action) 12
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