Committee Programme

WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY PORTFOLIO COMMITTE
24 June 2003
COMMITTEE PROGRAMME

Chairperson: Mr J F van Wyk (ANC)

Document handed out :
Committee Programme for the period June - November 2003 (see Appendix)

SUMMARY
The Draft Water Services White Paper briefing by the Minister was cancelled as the department was unprepared for it. The Committee Programme was considered. The Committee will visit four provinces and the study tours will be as follows: 28 July - 1 August Gauteng and North-West provinces and the Free State and Northern Cape provinces between 4 - 8 August.

MINUTES
Other issues before the committee were the Stellenbosch visits which were attended by a few members, but not in official capacity. The invitations were received on Friday and permission was not obtained. The Chair suggested that another meeting be arranged, and that a copy of the document presented be distributed.

The SADC Protocol on Forestry would be dealt with after the parliamentary recess. The transformation of the Cirtrusdal Water Board needed to be looked at, and the Committee Report on the Free Basic Water hearings would also be available after the recess.

The Committee agreed to the proposal that the committee be split into two groups so as to cover four provinces at the same time. For the period 28 July - 1 August Gauteng and the North-West provinces will be visited, and the Free State and Northern Cape provinces between 4 - 8 August.

The Chair emphasised the need for the delegations to be split equally. The areas of focus include the eradication of the bucket system in the Free State, possibly a look at Bloemwater, a look at informal settlements in Gauteng, the Rand Water Board and the implications of free basic water and the transformation of irrigation boards be included.

The Chair noted that the Programming Committee may alter the committee programme in the next session making more time for committee work. He saw no problem in obtaining permission for the study tours. The committee clerk would make the arrangements for the study tour.

Appendix:
As of 30 May 2003
Programme for the Portfolio Committee on Water Affairs and Forestry
June- November 2003
(Subject to change)