Cross-Boundary Municipalities Bill; Municipal Systems Bill: discussion

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE
13 June 2000
CROSS-BOUNDARY MUNICIPALITIES BILL; MUNICIPAL SYSTEMS BILL HEARINGS: REPORT-BACK

These are the minutes as provided the committee clerk, Mr Edgar de Koker:

Cross-Boundary Municipalities Bill [B 37-2000] (sec 75)
The chairperson requested the department to respond to:
(a) Reprint in provincial gazettes of the amended schedule; and
(b) Making the schedule more user friendly.

The department informed the committees that:
(a) The Demarcation Board issued correction notices to the provinces because the amendments were technical. Consequently, the 30-day period for public input is not necessary.
(b) The schedule has been re-ordered in chronological order under local municipal area, district municipal area, and metropolitan area.

The chairperson indicated that the department is in the process of drafting a further amendment that would stipulate that the boundaries may only be redetermined with the concurrence of the legislatures of the provinces involved and such redetermination is authorised by national legislation.

Local Government: Municipal Systems Bill [B 27-2000] (sec 75)
Ms D Wooldridge presented the report on the public hearings that were held on this bill. With regard to public participation, she stated that from the inputs made and received two views were made:
(a) More detail should be included; and
(b) Less detail so that the focus can be more on outcomes than procedures. Her view was to support (b) above, as it would specify why public participation is necessary (outcomes).

With regard to performance management, she stated that the submissions emphasised that minimum service should be qualified as well as consultation with rural community structures.

The Select Committee adjourned.

Present:
Mr M Bhabha, Chairperson

Eastern Cape
Ms PCP Majodina

Free State
Ms C-S Botha

Gauteng
Ms RA Ndzanga

KwaZulu-Natal
Mr PA Matthee
Prince BZ Zulu

Mpumalanga
Mr M Bhabha

Northern Cape
Mr M Sulliman

Western Cape
Mr. C Ackermann
Ms N Ntwanambi

Apologies: Mr J Horne.