First Term Committee programme: adoption

Meeting report

Election of Acting Chairperson
Ms Lindiwe Ntsabo, Committee Secretary, requested that the Committee nominate an acting Chairperson for the purpose of the continuation of the meeting. 

Ms H Malgas (ANC) was elected unopposed as the Acting Chairperson.

Programme on Legislation Process of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development (January – March 2016)
The Chairperson tabled the document for consideration and asked the Members to go through it page by page.

At the request of the Chairperson, the Committee Secretary noted that the current programme is informed by the Committee's commitments, and two items in that report would be dealt with in the following week. The Committee wanted to get recommendations from the Social Work Council regarding matters between 2 March to 18 March 2016.

Ms V Mogotsi (ANC) felt that the programme was too relaxed and that more could be slotted in and added to, dealing with outstanding work from last year. 

The Committee Secretary noted that there was an error in the closing times of the meetings, which could extend beyond 13:00 if necessary.

She added that the programme would deal with two bills presented to the Committee last year. She noted that resolutions would need to be taken on some outstanding matters.

The draft Programme was adopted by the Committee.

Minutes Adoption
Minutes of 12 August 2015
Ms Mogotsi noted that she had been marked under “apologies” whereas she was present in that meeting.

The minutes were adopted, subject to that amendment.

Minutes of 19 August 2015, 2 September, 4 September 2015
These minutes were all adopted, without amendments.

Minutes of 14 October 2015
The Chairperson emphasised that Members and the Committee Staff needed to take their time to read and ensure the accuracy of the Minutes. These minutes were adopted, without amendments

Minutes of 15 October 2015
Mr S Mabilo (ANC) noted that he was not marked as present at this meeting, although he had attended.

The Chairperson confirmed that she recalled him being present and asked the Committee Secretary to amend the minutes.

The minutes were adopted, with this amendment.

Minutes of 21 October 2015
Ms E Wilson (DA) wanted to find out if the National Development Agency (NDA) Board had been appointed and needed clarity on the matter. 

Ms Mogotsi noted that at the last meeting, it had been noted that the fact that there was no Board should be given urgent attention, as this had a negative impact upon accountability.

The Committee Secretary pointed out that the Board candidates would have to be shortlisted by the Committee, with the shortlist then being forwarded to the Minister of Social Development to make the final appointments. The Committee still had to come up with a shortlist.

The minutes were approved.

Minutes of 28 October 2015
Ms B Abrahams (ANC) pointed an error in spelling. and it was rectified by the secretary.

Ms Wilson requested clarity on why the Director General of the Department rarely attended.

The Chairperson undertook to follow up with the matter and feed back to the Committee. 

Ms Mogotsi said that she was quite frustrated to note that again, she had been noted as absent, although she had been present and she wondered if the list was merely being cut and pasted incorrectly. The error was giving a bad and false impression of Members.

The Chairperson suggested that the attendance register for each meeting be tabled with the minutes.

Ms Abrahams suggested that either a hard written copy or SMS message could be used to table an apology. SMS messages were used by Parliament to communicate with Members and should be acceptable.

The Chairperson asked Members if they had Cluster secretaries

Ms S Tsoleli (ANC) replied that there were, but they were not particularly effective and could not be relied upon entirely.

Members resolved that in future an SMS message of apology by Members was acceptable.

The minutes were adopted subject to amendments.

The Chairperson passed on the good wishes to a Member on her marriage.

The meeting was adjourned.