Follow-up briefing by the Department of Social Development on progress made in implementing the National Strategy on the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide

Meeting report

The Department of Social Development (DSD) presented the Committee with a briefing on progress made in implementing the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Progress (NSP-GBVF, 2020–2030). The presentation focused on the six pillars of the NSP, particularly Pillar 4: Response, Care, Support, and Healing, led by the Department of Social Development (DSD). The presentation addressed challenges faced in implementation and proposed strategies for mitigation. The presentation provided recommendations to enhance service delivery and address systemic gaps. The presentation looked at DSD interventions to address teenage pregnancy, sexual assault, and statutory rape. The briefing presented various measures aimed at curbing teenage pregnancy and statutory rape, while highlighting challenges such as limited departmental mandates in behavioural interventions. The presentation shared progress on child safety initiatives, including online safety measures and the outcomes of partnerships with organisations like UNICEF. The presentation discussed the community-based Risiha Programme, which focuses on early intervention and prevention services for vulnerable children.

Notable Achievements

Progress on Online Child Safety and Exploitation Prevention:

- The DSD collaborated with UNICEF on the “Disrupting Harm Study,” which informed national initiatives to protect children online. This study reached over 2 600 children and 1 300 parents and provided actionable recommendations.

- More than 400 social workers, practitioners, and stakeholders received training in cybercrime prevention, reporting mechanisms, and child protection frameworks.

- Awareness campaigns engaged thousands of children, parents, and educators across South Africa, with activities ranging from school presentations to international dialogues on online safety.

GBVF Implementation under Pillar 4:

- Significant steps were taken to strengthen sheltering services, Khuseleka One-Stop Centres, and trauma counselling services for survivors of gender-based violence.

- The National Emergency Response Team (NERT) was deployed to GBVF hotspots, and GBV volunteers were mobilised in all nine provinces to address cases urgently.

- NGOs received capacity-building support to improve service delivery to victims of crime and violence, while psychosocial support services were scaled up in several districts.

Community-Based Early Intervention through the Risiha Programme:

- The Risiha Programme provided essential support to vulnerable children, helping them move from vulnerability to resilience.

- Drop-in centres served as critical access points for these services, reaching thousands of children in need.

Key Challenges Identified

Barriers in the Implementation of the NSP-GBVF:

- Insufficient infrastructure budgets hindered the establishment of shelters and Khuseleka Centres, leading to gaps in victim support services.

- Lack of coordinated efforts across departments, such as the Department of Health and SAPS, limited the effectiveness of GBVF response measures.

- Specialised services for marginalised groups, such as the LGBTIQA+ community, remained underdeveloped.

Resource Constraints in Online Safety Initiatives:

- Social workers and practitioners often lacked sufficient training on online exploitation, prompting requests for additional capacity-building efforts.

- Funding and logistical challenges affected the scale of online safety awareness and education programmes.

Addressing Teenage Pregnancy and Statutory Rape:

- The DSD highlighted its limited mandate in influencing behaviour change, a critical component of addressing teenage pregnancy and statutory rape.

- Interventions were often constrained by a lack of collaboration with other stakeholders who could address broader systemic issues.

Recommendations to Address Challenges

1. Foster stronger collaboration across government departments to ensure seamless implementation of the NSP-GBVF.

2. Allocate additional funding to address infrastructure deficits and enhance human resource capacity.

3. Build partnerships with private sector stakeholders and development partners to mobilise resources for GBV and child safety programs.

4. Expand capacity-building initiatives for front-line workers to improve the delivery of integrated care and support services.

5. Strengthen community-based programs to prevent teenage pregnancy and statutory rape by involving multidisciplinary teams.

See attached for full presentation

Discussion

Mr T Munyai (ANC) expressed his satisfaction with the presentation on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), emphasising the strategy, targeted outcomes, and the demonstrated impact. He commended the Department for the quality of their presentation and for addressing key questions posed by the Committee.

He highlighted the need for a coordinated approach involving multiple departments, including the Department of Social Development (DSD), Health, Education, and the Presidency, particularly those dealing with women, youth, and people with disabilities. Mr Munyai emphasised that addressing GBV requires collaboration among all stakeholders, including community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, non-profits, civil society, and public representatives.

He raised concerns about the provinces of Gauteng and the Western Cape not effectively utilising allocated funds for social and behavioural change programs. He suggested that these provinces be investigated to understand why funds are being redirected and programs are not implemented. Mr Munyai proposed holding them accountable and potentially withholding future allocations if funds are not used for their intended purposes.

He applauded the DSD for collaborating with international organisations and adopting technology as a multiplier to enhance efforts against GBV. He welcomed the news that Vodacom had been appointed to revive GBV Command Centers, ensuring victims can connect with social workers.

In conclusion, he reiterated his support for the presentations and stressed the importance of solutions that are practical and implementable. He expressed gratitude for the progress made and indicated his willingness to continue contributing to discussions as needed.

Ms A Abrahams (DA) began by expressing gratitude to the Chairperson and the Department for their presentation. She noted that this was the final committee meeting and mentioned the importance of discussing key issues, particularly the precautionary suspension of SA Social Security Agency (SASSA’s) CEO amidst allegations of fraud within the SRD grant. She questioned why this was not addressed in the opening remarks by the ADG or included in the Minister and Deputy Minister's apologies. She requested clarity on the timeline for the investigation and responses to Members' questions about the SRD grant.

She appreciated the constructive nature of the current engagement compared to previous ones, emphasising the value of addressing committee inputs and questions in follow-up meetings. However, she noted time constraints often limited in-depth discussions.

Her specific questions included:

1. NDA and Community Funds: She asked if the National Development Agency (NDA) was still managing the process of calling for proposals, disbursing funds, and monitoring, suggesting that provincial entities might be better suited for this role.

2. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Command Centre: She sought details on the R8 million allocated to the GBV command centre, particularly the R3.6 million already paid to a terminated contractor. She asked why the termination was delayed despite non-fulfillment of contractual obligations and questioned whether the centre would be operational during the 16 Days of Activism as committed by the Minister.

3. Budget Cuts: She sought clarity on how budget cuts affected GBV programs and whether NGOs or internal department programmes bore the impact. She also noted discrepancies in the figures on budget slides.

4. Thuthuzela Care Centers: She questioned why the Department could not elevate existing NGOs into care centres as a cost-effective option, proposing further engagement on this matter.

5. Economic Opportunities for Women: She raised concerns about the lack of data on women transitioning into economic opportunities after leaving shelters. She questioned the Department's ability to coordinate with other entities to gather this information, emphasising its importance for breaking dependency cycles.

6. Behavioural Change Programmes: She highlighted recurring issues with misallocated funds in the Western Cape and urged for consistent communication to prevent misunderstandings.

7. NGO Funding: She criticised the ongoing delays in allocating funds to NGOs, particularly in Gauteng, despite receiving significant external support from USAID. She called for stronger ministerial intervention to address this.

8. Teenage Pregnancy Cases: She expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of action in prosecuting perpetrators and called for provinces to account for their handling of statutory rape cases.

She concluded by reiterating the urgency of addressing these issues and ensuring proper coordination and accountability across departments and provinces.

Ms MP Makgato (ANC) focused on several critical issues during the discussion, particularly around gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide. She emphasised the importance of understanding the impact of human and financial commitments in addressing GBV and sought clarity on this matter. She also raised concerns about the effectiveness of feedback mechanisms between local practitioners and the Department in refining interventions for teenage pregnancies and GBV. Addressing funding challenges, she questioned the lack of inter-linkages and asked about exploring alternative partnerships and funding models to expand shelter services. Additionally, she inquired about the role and impact of collaboration with stakeholders, such as the National Task Team and the Department of Employment and Labour, in supporting economic reintegration for women transitioning from shelters. Finally, she highlighted the disparity in access to services in the Northern Cape, the largest province, which has only five drop-in centers. She sought information on efforts to ensure equitable access in the region. She concluded by expressing her gratitude to the Chairperson and participants for the opportunity to engage on these pressing issues.

Rev N Gcwabaza (MK) thanked the Chairperson, Members, and the Department for the presentation. He expressed hope that the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Command Center would function effectively and provide much-needed assistance to women in need. He raised concerns about the Department's ability to quantify the impact of its programs, emphasising the importance of understanding how many women have been assisted through these initiatives and have subsequently gained independence or self-sufficiency.

He called for measurable data to demonstrate the effectiveness of the programmes, asking for comparisons between pre- and post-programme outcomes, such as reductions in the number of reported cases. He stressed the need for quantifiable evidence to evaluate whether the programmes are achieving their intended impact and whether the Department's investment in these initiatives is justified. Rev Gwabaza concluded by reiterating his request for clear and measurable quantities to assess the success of the programs presented.

Ms P Marais (EFF) began by apologising for missing part of the meeting due to technical difficulties, which left her somewhat disconnected from the discussions. She raised concerns about the adequacy of social workers to address social issues, particularly in the context of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). She questioned the support provided to families displaced from their homes and relocated to shelters, inquiring about programmes aimed at helping them achieve self-sufficiency, such as training for housewives who have been out of the workforce for years.

She echoed a call for greater collaboration among departments, emphasising the need for the Department of Health, the police, and others to work together to address GBV comprehensively. She criticised the current fragmented approach, where departments operate in isolation, and stressed the importance of a united, year-round effort rather than limited focus during designated awareness weeks.

She urged the development of a concrete, actionable plan to combat GBV, expressing frustration with the lack of tangible progress. She emphasised the need for clear implementation strategies for what she referred to as a "war on GBV," highlighting the importance of measurable outcomes and continuous action rather than superficial declarations.

Ms A Hlongo (ANC) raised several questions regarding the effectiveness and implementation of policies related to gender-based violence (GBV) and other social issues. She began by asking about the steps taken to resolve contradictions between the Victim Support Services Bill and the Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill, requesting clarity on the expected timeline for final approval. She also questioned how the Department is ensuring that new policies, particularly those addressing GBV and femicide, address systemic issues like secondary victimisation and accessibility to services.

She further inquired about the Department's funding and budget allocation for each programme, seeking transparency, particularly regarding costs for awareness sessions. She also asked if the Department is exploring alternative solutions, such as partnerships with existing NGOs, to mitigate the high costs of establishing one-stop centres for victims of GBV. She questioned how the Department plans to address infrastructure challenges, especially in provinces with limited resources for GBV victims, and how services for vulnerable groups, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, are being integrated into shelter services.

On the issue of evaluating the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBV, she requested information on how educators are used to assess its success and the impact of sports teams in addressing GBV cases across provinces. She also asked about the percentage of women who successfully transition from shelters to economic independence and what additional support is in place to aid this transition. She inquired about the criteria for updating the list of GBV hotspots and how interventions are tailored to the unique needs of these areas.

She also focused on teenage pregnancy, asking how the Department's programs specifically address the root causes of teenage pregnancy and statutory rape in vulnerable communities. She questioned whether recommendations from harm studies on online safety are being integrated into national policies and how the Department plans to address gaps in online safety, particularly concerning child trafficking.

Finally, she raised concerns about the lack of social workers, stating that despite the Department's efforts to train social workers, many are unemployed due to budget constraints. She stressed that more social workers are needed on the ground for social development programs to be effective and requested clarity on the Department's plans to address the unemployment of social workers. She also asked for a clearer response regarding the Department's partnership with the private sector to address this issue.

Mr K Ramaila (ANC) began by appreciating the progress made by the Department and emphasised the importance of collaboration between local departments such as Health, Education, and the Presidency. He suggested that the Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DPME) play a central role in organising such a meeting.

He then discussed the psychological impacts of the apartheid system, pointing out that different communities might experience these impacts in varying ways. For instance, the coloured community may have suffered differently from others, and the Department should consider this when designing interventions. He advocated for providing special attention to these communities to address their psychosocial needs effectively.

He also made several recommendations, stressing the need to move beyond static workshop programs and prioritise technology-driven interventions. He proposed using platforms like mobile apps and digital storytelling to empower victims and raise awareness. He highlighted the issue of parents being unable to monitor their children’s activities online, particularly due to the advanced technological skills of young people, which necessitates solutions in this area.

He further suggested the use of artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, to identify at-risk communities or individuals based on historical data and trends. He proposed investing in data-free resources to educate people about signs of abuse and safety strategies, such as panic features that could send distress signals along with personal information and location.

He recommended the establishment of more shelters in high-risk and remote areas. He emphasised that these shelters should be strategically placed to offer better protection. He also suggested leveraging existing structures like outreach programs and youth training to provide education on contraception and reproductive rights.

Finally, he inquired about the existence of norms and standards for establishing shelters. He asked if the need for shelters is determined by population size or if it depends on local awareness and activism. He proposed that having population-based norms and standards would help measure progress and ensure adequate resources for shelters.

The Chairperson thanked Mr Ramaila (ANC) for his assistance and recommendations, noting that they were being recorded for the record. The Chairperson emphasised the importance of ensuring that the necessary actions are taken in response to the recommendations made.

The Chairperson then addressed the Acting Director-General (ADG) and his team, acknowledging their role in ensuring close oversight. However, the Chairperson mentioned that they should avoid pressuring senior department officials to answer questions that fall outside their areas of responsibility. The ADG was reassured not to feel undue pressure in this regard.

The Chairperson concluded by urging the ADG to ensure that the other questions posed by the Members were addressed, as has been the practice with the team.

DSD Responses

Mr Nkere Skhosana, Acting Deputy Director-General, further addressed several key points in his response:

He began by noting the Department's commitment to improving resource management, particularly concerning command centres, and emphasised efforts to align processes with broader business objectives. He also mentioned that the relaunch of the Command Center is proceeding as planned, with its reopening scheduled for this month. In addition, he highlighted that support for civil society organisations remains a priority.

In his response to budget-related concerns, Mr Skhosana acknowledged the impact of budget constraints, particularly regarding hiring social workers, a concern shared by both the Department and NPOs dependent on these services. He clarified that there had been a discrepancy in the budget figures due to the inclusion of the caravan fund in one of the slides, which did not accurately reflect the Department's full budget.

Regarding Treasury directives related to HIV investments, Mr Skhosana pointed out that some provinces had not fully complied with the directives. However, he assured Members that the Department is addressing the issue and expressed hope that the Portfolio Committee could assist in resolving it. He also referred to ongoing work related to housing challenges, stating that the Department is requesting business plans to improve the implementation of housing programmes.

Despite the challenges posed by limited funding, Mr Skhosana emphasised that the Department is focused on extending services to more communities through various partnerships. Shelters for victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and family violence remain a priority, with additional efforts to empower survivors through skills development and small business support once they leave the shelters.

Turning to the Northern Cape, Mr Skhosana acknowledged that service delivery remains challenging due to the region's large size and low population density. He assured Members that the Department is working to gather more detailed information to better understand the region's needs. He also mentioned ongoing collaboration with the Department of Justice on the Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill, which aims to improve support for vulnerable students, particularly boys and young men in shelters.

The shortage of social workers continues to be a critical issue, Mr Skhosana confirmed, and he highlighted that the Department is collaborating with National Treasury to secure funding for hiring more staff. Partnerships with organisations like USAID are also being explored to provide financial support for GBV victims in residential settings.

Lastly, Mr Skhosana stated that the Department is ensuring that shelters across the country meet established standards, with statistics being compiled to assess their effectiveness. He expressed confidence that contracted service providers are fulfilling their obligations and promised to provide additional details on service impact in writing.

Ms Lumka Oliphant, DSD, provided an update on the ongoing issues related to the command centre. She began by acknowledging the difficulty of the situation, explaining that the relationship with the previous service provider, Brilliantel, had been challenging. Despite this, the Department was committed to meeting its contractual obligations.

She highlighted that Brilliantel terminated their services on 2 June 2024, due to their poor performance, and the Department had been forced to enforce this decision. On 15 August, the Department notified them to reopen the service and address the performance issues identified. They were given 30 days to comply with the contract requirements. When Brilliantel failed to rectify the issues by the deadline, the Department formally informed them on 21 September that the contract would be terminated.

Following the termination, the Department initiated the process of appointing a new service provider. Ms Oliphant confirmed that Vodacom had been appointed and began installing the necessary network and systems infrastructure on 21 November to restore the command centre services. She expressed confidence in moving forward with the project and emphasised the importance of the service for the South African public.

She concluded by noting that the Department aimed to relaunch the gender-based violence centre during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

Ms Neliswa Cekiso, Chief Director: Child Protection, addressed concerns regarding child protection, particularly around children giving birth and the steps involved in activating child protection services. She explained that the process begins immediately after a child is reported to the Department of Social Development. An assessment is conducted, and based on the findings, the matter is brought before the court. The court then determines whether the child is in need of care and protection based on a social worker’s report.

She further mentioned that child protection services are triggered as soon as the child is reported, especially in cases where the child is under 18 years old, which automatically classifies the child as one in need of care and protection. However, Ms Cekiso highlighted challenges in the reporting process, as sometimes schools and clinics do not report pregnancies. To address this, she noted the implementation of integrated school health programs across provinces to improve coordination between departments and ensure better reporting.

Ms Cekiso emphasised that the Department of Social Development has trained health officials and collaborated with the Department of Education to improve the reporting process, ensuring cases are referred to the child protection register. She expressed hope that continued efforts would yield better results in terms of case reporting.

She also discussed the risks children face online, such as meeting strangers, which can lead to exploitation and abuse. She explained that children are often coerced into sending nude pictures, putting them in greater danger. To mitigate these risks, Ms Cekiso outlined education and awareness initiatives, including training key stakeholders in the child protection system on identifying, reporting, and referring cases.

Finally, she appreciated the recommendations made by others. She stated that these aligned with efforts to strengthen the responsibilities of the tech industry in ensuring digital safety measures to protect children online. She acknowledged the ongoing challenge posed by perpetrators who exploit digital platforms to target children.

Mr Peter Netshipale, Acting Director-General (ADG) of the Department of Social Development (DSD), responded to several questions. He began by addressing the Department's role in the mainstreaming of various programmes, particularly in relation to the NSP and its six pillars, with DSD responsible for Pillar 4 and also contributing to Pillar 2, which focuses on prevention and rehabilitation. He clarified that the Department supports LGBTQ programmes to ensure safety and empowerment for the community.

Regarding monitoring the National Strategic Plan (NSP), Mr Netshipale emphasised the role of the Department of Women, Youth, and People with Disabilities in coordinating it. He noted the importance of setting targets for each department to report on, particularly Pillar 5, which relates to empowering women, especially those in shelters. He assured that data on the number of individuals empowered through DSD’s development programs would be submitted to the portfolio committee.

He also addressed the issue of social workers, explaining that a strategy for the appointment of social workers had been approved by Cabinet. The Department aims for comprehensive psychological support for individuals from conception to death, with proposals for social support at key stages like pregnancy, birth, and school. He called on other government departments and private sectors to contribute to this effort by providing wellness centres and social support services.

On the matter of mobile shelters and the use of AI in service delivery, Mr Netshipale expressed openness to exploring these proposals and integrating technology into DSD programmes. He also acknowledged the need for data desegregation, especially concerning the empowerment of women through skills development programs.

Finally, Mr Netshipale responded to questions about challenges faced by provinces in responding to requests in a timely manner and mentioned that the Department was working on improving the process for handling parliamentary questions.

Follow up discussion

The Chairperson followed up with two key concerns during the discussion.

First, she inquired about the ongoing investigations into the SRD grant and asked for an indicative timeline regarding what can be expected from the Department. She emphasised the need for clarity on the process and timeline so that the Committee could plan accordingly and ensure they are aligned with the Department’s efforts. She noted that the department, under the leadership of the ADG, is spearheading this process and highlighted the importance of clear communication about the investigations going forward.

Second, the Chairperson addressed the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection. She expressed concern over the lack of infrastructure, budget, and capacity to address these issues effectively, as highlighted in the presentation. Despite acknowledging the Department's commendable efforts, she stressed that there is a need for stronger legislative support to back the work being done. Specifically, she questioned whether there were any plans to amend existing legislation, such as the Sexual Offences Act, to include forms of abuse that occur online through websites, smartphones, and other digital platforms. Given the increasing number of children, some as young as eight or nine, accessing these devices, she argued that a legislative framework supportive of digital abuse prevention was crucial to combating GBV and child abuse. Without such legislative amendments, she warned, the Department's hard work might not yield the desired long-term results.

The Chairperson concluded by emphasising the need for legislative interventions to complement the Department's efforts and ensure a holistic approach to tackling GBV and child abuse, particularly in the digital age.

Mr T Munyai (ANC) addressed the Chairperson, suggesting that it would be beneficial to have a coordinated follow-up on the findings presented by the DSD last week. He expressed concern that this matter was not on today's agenda, but emphasised the importance of allowing members to engage further on the issue. Mr Munyai proposed that the chair organise a follow-up session with a more structured invitation, which would enable better collective engagement. He also noted that he would appreciate the opportunity to have a more in-depth discussion, similar to the one previously provided.

Mr Netshipale responded to the Chairperson, acknowledging the need for more time to complete the ongoing investigation on various matters, including the power of beauty and penetration. He emphasised that the investigation is continuing and will be concluded as soon as possible, although the upcoming holiday season may impact the timeline. He also agreed with the Chairperson on the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) and the National Strategic Plan (NSP), noting that significant progress is being made, with budget allocations and activities already underway to address these issues in the country.

He compared the current efforts to the past experience with HIV and AIDS, where increased awareness led to higher prevalence rates and, consequently, more resources needed to address the issue. Mr Netshipale acknowledged that more resources would be required as the prevalence of GBV increases and that reorganising efforts would be necessary.

He also highlighted the importance of strengthening the law and its implementation, particularly through the Children's Act and the probation and reintegration services that various departments provide. Mr Netshipale concluded by expressing gratitude for the insights shared and emphasised the need for continued collaboration between departments to improve the situation.

Ms A Abrahams (DA) expressed her concern about the lack of a clear timeline for the investigation into the fraud at SASSA. She emphasised that it is troubling that the Committee has not been provided with an indication of when a report will be made available. Ms Abrahams highlighted the timing of the investigation, particularly with the holidays approaching, noting that eligible grant beneficiaries would not have a proper Christmas or New Year due to being locked out of the system, while fraudsters would continue to enjoy the benefits of the stolen funds.

She urged that one of the first priorities of the Committee in the new year should be to have the Department or SASSA, through its service provider, present an update on the investigation. Ms Abrahams concluded by stating that it is unfortunate to close the year without a clear picture of what is happening and that her concerns should be officially recorded.

Mr K Ramaila (ANC) responded by recalling that in the previous meeting, the Committee had requested that all supply chain processes be followed when appointing a service provider. He mentioned that the service provider currently appointed was done so on an interim basis and explained that they could not appoint others because that was the only one available within a given timeframe. Mr Ramaila emphasised the importance of adhering fully to the supply chain process. He also acknowledged that while there had been some failure in meeting these expectations, the Committee should now set the expectation that the matter should be resolved by the end of January.

Mr Munyai responded to Ms Abrahams, emphasising that the Department should not rush the investigation into the SASSA fraud case. He pointed out that no company, especially during the festive season, would be able to complete the work within the short timeline of 30 days. Mr Munyai stressed that they wanted thorough, quality work and not rushed or substandard results. He highlighted that major companies and experts had informed the Department of Social Development (DSD) that they could not complete the task within 30 days. He also noted that industries would close for the holiday period, so it would be impossible to get the work done in that time. He advocated for allowing the Department to follow proper supply chain processes to ensure quality and to avoid embarrassment for the Department and the people of South Africa, especially the beneficiaries.

Later, Mr Ramaila acknowledged that the Department should not rush the process, as they had learned from the previous investigation. He agreed that a timeline of 30 days had not been realistic, and they needed to consider a more feasible timeline, potentially extending it to the end of January. He emphasised the need for clarity from the Department on the new timeline and interim progress reports to ensure the investigation was completed thoroughly.

The Chairperson emphasised the timeframe that was needed but that matters were also completed thoroughly. The Chairperson understood the frustrations but also acknowledged the lessons learnt.

She congratulated the newly appointed CEO of the NDA, Mr Thambani Buthelezi, and looked forward to meeting with him in a Committee meeting.

She thanked the DSD for the briefing and responses. She wished them well.

Committee minutes dated 30 October 2024

The minutes were considered and adopted.

Committee minutes dated 13 November 2024

The minutes were considered and adopted.

The Chairperson wished Members well over the festive season.  

The meeting was adjourned.