Public Works Budget Review and Recommendation Report
Meeting Summary
The Public Works Committee met to consider the Budget Review and Recommendation Report. The Chairperson went through the report and in particular the targets not met by the Department of Public Works. The report highlighted that delays in the acquisition of a financial system meant that 7 out 16 action plan outputs were achieved. The Department also improved on its internal controls with 7 policies and procedures developed and/or reviewed for implementation. The Department also improved in terms of compliance with internal audit prescripts by 92% of the targeted 86%. In terms of the Expanded Works Programme the Department failed to reach its target by over 34 388 work opportunities. The high vacancy rate in the Department was a matter of concern together with governance issues raised by the Auditor General. Members noted with concern the failure to implement some of the A-G’s recommendations from the previous year and also questioned the Department’s financial management. The lack of a stable leadership was also highlighted as a cause of concern in the Department. Recommendations were also tabled for the review of the Council for Built Environment’s (CBE) mandate. Members made recommendations these included the fact that the Department ensure adherence and compliance with various legislation set to guide them. The appointment of a permanent Director General in the Department was also stressed out. The Report was adopted was adopted with the recommendations. The Report was adopted with amendments.
Meeting report
Public Works Budget Review and Recommendation Report
The Chairperson took the Committee through the Report. It was noted that the Department to some extent had met and exceeded some of its targets. However, the Department failed to meet most of its targets in terms of the Expanded Works Programme. The Department created 607 612 work opportunities the set target for 2010/11 was however, 642 000 meaning that it failed to reach the target by over 34 388 work opportunities. The opinion by the Auditor General highlighted a number of concerns including internal controls, governance issues, and incorrect application of procurement procedures. The Auditor-General (AG) issued a disclaimer of opinion with regard to the Department and the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE) indicated serious reversals in the financial management of these two organisations. The report highlighted that delays in the acquisition of a financial system meant that 7 out 16 action plan outputs were achieved. The Department also improved on its internal controls with 7 policies and procedures developed and/or reviewed for implementation. The Department also improved in terms of compliance with internal audit prescripts by 92% of the targeted 86%.
Discussion
Ms N Ngcingwana (ANC) recommended that the Committee highlights that the Department must seriously look at the Auditor General’s recommendations. She pointed out that something was wrong somewhere in the Department and this needed to be resolved.
Ms C Madlopha (ANC) queried the inconsistency within the figures and also noted that this was raised in the Auditor General’s report of the previous year also.
Mr J Steenhuissen (DA) pointed out that the issue of stable leadership needed to be addressed as this had caused serious problem for the Department. He also suggested that the Department report quarterly to the Committee.
The Chairperson noted that a permanent Director General must be appointed by the end of the year.
Ms P Ngwenya- Mabila (ANC) said that the Department must ensure it adhered and complied with the various legislation set to guide them. The expedition of the Council for Built Environment (CBE) Bill was also noted. She pointed out that the Department must ensure its entities budgets were in line with set priorities, an example of CBE was given.
Ms C Madhlopa (ANC) said the Department needed to review the mandate of CBE and fast track the issue of transformation in the built environment industry.
The Chairperson moved for adoption of the Report and she was supported by Ms N November (ANC), Ms C Madlopha (ANC) and Mr J Steenhuissen (DA).
The meeting was adjourned.
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