Consideration of Draft Reports: discussion

Meeting report

PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
1 February 2006
CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT REPORTS: DISCUSSION

Chairperson: Mr F Bhengu (ANC)

Documents Handed Out:
Committee Report and Recommendations

SUMMARY
Members discussed a draft copy of the Committee’s Annual Report and the Department of Public Works Annual Report. An introductory document had been prepared but further work was needed for a detailed Committee report. Adoption of the report was set for 14 February 2006. Members were requested to go through the Committee report and provide feedback at the next meeting. Members were pleased that the Department had been in regular contact with the Committee and providing frequent updates.

MINUTES

Discussion: Draft Reports
The Chairperson stated that the most recent draft was the report that Members should consult. He stated that the shortened report was a summary and needed more content in its final version.

Ms M Ntuli (ANC) requested that Members accept the summarised report as it was provided because it would not be adopted.

The Chairperson noted that the Committee’s engagement with the Department of Public Works (DPW) over the past year was good. He was please with the interaction and requested the Department to provide an update.

Mr S Philips (Acting Director-General) of the Department stated that the Department’s Annual Report provided responses to the Committee’s questions and concerns. He noted that the Department was looking forward to working with the Committee in the coming year.

The Chairperson queried the amount of money spent on the compilation of the Annual Report.

Mr Philips responded that production of the Annual Report had been outsourced. Considerable attention had been put into formatting and the presentation along with the availability of colour pictures and interactive CD-ROMS.

Ms M Ntuli (ANC) queried the Department’s intention of locating illegally occupied land and redistributing it to other Departments.

Mr Philips stated that the Department had made progress with implementing initiatives that were stated in the previous year’s report. The disposal programme was intended to manage and control assets. The first phase of the asset management process was an on-going process. A report on the process could be provided.

He stated that the Department was engaging in a three-year programme that aimed to improve information about the asset register. Graduates had been recruited to collect information from certain illegally occupied areas.

The Chairperson asked when the graduates had been recruited and was there any way of identifying illegal property occupiers.

Mr Philips responded that the recruiting process had been from July to December 2005. He noted that the Department had asked the public to come forward voluntarily. Further initiatives for identifying illegal property occupiers were planned.

The Chairperson requested that both reports be adopted by 14 February 2006. He asked Members to complete the report on the Committee’s trip to the Philippines. He also discussed the work framework for the year with Members.

The meeting was adjourned.