Committee Programme and Fire and Floods Conferernce: discussion

Meeting report

HOUSING PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
16 March 2005
COMMITTEE PROGRAMME AND FIRE AND FLOODS CONFERENCE: DISCUSSION

Chairperson: Ms Z Kota (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Proposed Committee programme, as at March 2005

SUMMARY
The Committee discussed their draft programme, particularly noting housing projects, public hearings on the budget with housing institutions from 12-14 April, and two study tours. Concern was also raised with regard to those houses with no bank bonds and which were not insured. Members unanimously adopted the Committee Secretary’s minutes of the meeting of 9 March 2005.

MINUTES
The Chairperson began discussion on the Committee programme from March until mid-June. She said many cases had emerged where members of the public had bought houses with no insurance or bank bonds, and thus could get no compensation in the event of fires. There had been consultations with banks to remedy this situation.

The Chairperson mentioned that the Mayor of Cape Town, Ms Nomaindia Mfeketo, the Disaster Management services and other interested parties, would be invited to the ‘Conference on Challenges of Fire and Floods in Human Settlements’ to be held from 19-20 April 2005.

The Chairperson said delegations for study tours would be made up of seven Members. Five would come from ANC and two from Opposition Parties. She asked Members to consult with their respective Parties and suggest who should avail themselves for the tours. The proposed tour to Kimberley would take place on 16-17 May and the social housing tour to Norway, Netherlands and Finland from 20 May to 10 June 2005.

Mr G Schneemann (ANC) suggested that the public hearings on the budget with housing institutions be held outside Parliament from 12-14 April.

Mr A Steyn (DA) requested that the composition of delegations be reviewed. He suggested that ANC be represented by five Members (including the Chairperson) and the Opposition should be represented by three Members He felt smaller Opposition Parties were not given enough chance to attend on these trips.

The Chairperson said that concerns around representation on study tours and as well as public hearing outside of Parliament, would be looked at as soon as possible.

Members unanimously adopted the Committee Secretary’s minutes of the meeting of 9 March 2005.

The meeting was adjourned.