Working Group Reports & Resolutions: adoption; Committee Budget: discussion; Committee Planning Workshop: consideration

Public Accounts (SCOPA)

15 March 2006
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Meeting report

STANDING COMMITTTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS
15 March 2006
WORKING GROUP REPORTS AND RESOLUTIONS: ADOPTION; COMMITTEE BUDGET: DISCUSSION; COMMITTEE PLANNING WORKSHOP: CONSIDERATION

Chairperson: Mr T Godi (PAC)

Documents handed out:
SCOPA Committee Papers: 15 March 2006 [please email
[email protected]]
SCOPA Committee Programme

SUMMARY
The Committee concentrated on internal administrative matters and arrangements at this meeting. It received reports from two working groups regarding proposed hearings on Government departments and State Owned Enterprises. The working group resolutions were unanimously adopted.

Members discussed the Committee Budget and felt that the work of the Committee was not appreciated by Parliament. They agreed to apply and motivate for funding for oversight visits. The Committee also agreed that a planning workshop would be held at a venue outside Parliament.

These minutes were produced by the SCOPA Secretariat

MINUTES

AGENDA

Agenda moved and accepted for adoption. Mr Gumede raised an objection to receiving the agenda that morning and requested that it be sent sooner.

Minutes 08 February 2006

Correction on page 6, heading should read, "Adoption of Group 1…" not "Group 2".
Minutes adopted: Mr E Trent moved and Mr D Maluleke seconded

Matters arising:

Status of Transnet referral to SCOPA

The Secretariat requested a response from the Clerk of Papers but received a reply confirming the Department of Transport’s referral and not Transnet. A further request for the correct information will be sent.

Catering of Committee

The Chairperson noted the reduction in the amount of catering ordered but requested that the pendulum, swinging from too much to too little, find the proper balance for future meetings.

Report-back by Work Groups

Group 1 – Mr P Gerber

The Group discussed Mr Matholo’s letter concerning the CCMA and decided to refer it to the Portfolio Committee on Labour.

Questions were drafted and sent to Khula Enterprises and Denel.

The Group was concerned that the resolutions of SCOPA for 2004/05 adopted by Parliament contain deadlines for departments to respond to Parliament on certain issues. To date there are a number of Executive replies outstanding. The Group requests that the Chairperson write to the Speaker drawing her attention to these departments and their tardiness in replying to resolutions of Parliament.

Committee decision:
The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would send a letter to the Speaker dealing with the above-mentioned matter.

The Group was busy formulating the resolution to the Auditor-General to produce a special report regarding performance bonuses, funded positions not filled, salary increases for top management and share options relating to public entities.

The Group proposed that its first hearing be the Department of Transport and its Agencies.

Committee decision: The Committee has recorded the Category A departments and entities reported by the Groups. It agreed that the planning group will assess the motivations and prioritise the hearings accordingly.

Research is required on the following: A comparison must be done on motor vehicle licence fees across provinces. It appears that certain provinces are cheaper than others with the result that motor vehicles are being registered in one province but are based and operating in another. This puts pressure on the infrastructure of these provinces that are being exploited. The research will determine whether SCOPA should pass a resolution for the Department of Transport to standardize the licence fee structure.

Committee decision: The research request was agreed to, provided it does not interfere with the researcher’s present assessment of the Auditor-General’s General Report.

The Group discussed, adopted and herewith table the following draft resolutions:

Category C (Resolutions)

CHIETA
ETDP SETA
FOODBEV
NEMISA


Group 2 – Ms L Mashiane

The Group discussed, adopted and herewith table the following draft resolutions:

Category C (Resolutions)

Umalusi Council for Quality Assurance
Business and Arts of South Africa
Council for Higher Education
Engeldburg House Art
Education Labour Relation Council
Market Theatre Foundation
Nelson Mandela Museum
South African National Accreditation System (Falls under DTI not
Education)
Council for Medical Schemes
National Home Builders Registration Council
Rural Housing Loan Fund
Umgeni Water Board
Water Research Commission
Albany Coast Water Board
Botshelo Water Board
Bloem Water Board
Lepelle Northern Water Board
Mhlathuze Water Board
Magalies Water Board
Namaqua Water Board
Overberg Water Board
Pelladrift Water Board
Rand Water Board
Social Relief Fund
Sedibeng Water Board Qwaqwa
Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority

Category A withdrawal

The Group withdraws the categorisation of the Department of Social Development and the National Development Agency. The 03/04 motivation was erroneously submitted and discussed.

6.2.c) Category A

Special Report of the Auditor General on the Findings Identified during a Performance Audit of the Approval and Allocation of Housing Subsidies at Provincial Housing Departments

Report categorised based on non-delivery and under spending of funds allocated to provinces. The Group agreed that the DG of Housing together with the provincial DDG’s must attend the hearing.

Committee decision: After deliberating the rationale of calling the provincial DDG’s to account the Committee took the following decisions.
The Chairperson will communicate with the provincial SCOPA’s that it intends calling the provincial Accounting Authorities for Housing to attend the hearing of the Department of Housing.
The Chairperson will also extend an invitation to a senior member of the provincial SCOPA to attend the hearing.


6.2.d) Category B

Water Affairs and Forestry
Statistics South Africa
Government Communication and Information Service
Sport and Recreation South Africa
Justice and Constitutional Development

6.2.e) The Group intends tabling a resolution to plenary for National Treasury to supply the Committee with a table of all the entities within government, detailing which Departments they fall under, whether they fulfil their role and function and, what programme the money is sourced from.

6.2.f) The Group’s query on the rationale of having a number of separate, legislated compensation schemes within government that might render better service grouped under one umbrella was discussed. At this stage it prefers investigating this option only with the DG of Health and the Commissioner of the Compensation Scheme for Occupational Diseases at the hearing.

6.2.g) Group 2 Programme update proposals

HEARING PROGRAMME SUGGESTIONS

02 May 2006
First Briefing on Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases

03 May 2006 AG General Report Hearing with NT, DPSA, AG

09 May 2006 Second Briefing on Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases

10 May 2006 HEARING: Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases

13 June 2006 First Briefing on Special Report of AG on Housing

20 June 2006 Second Briefing on Special Report on Housing

21 June 2006 HEARING on Housing

6.2.h) Further Categorisation of Group 2 Reports
After Ms Mashiane’s report, Mr Trent tabled confirmation of the following categorisations.

Category B

Provincial and Local Government
National House of Traditional Leaders
South African Local Government Association
International Marketing Council
State President Fund (with Social Relief Fund, Refugee Relief
Fund and High School Vorentoe Disaster Relief Fund that fall
under it)

The Presidency
National Youth Commission

Category C

Drug Free Sport
Media Development Diversity Agency


SCOPA PROGRAMME 02 UPDATE

Wednesday, 22 March 2006: The briefing with the Accountant General will continue as planned.

Wednesday, 03 May 2006: The Committee agreed to the date proposed to have the hearing with National Treasury, DPSA and the Auditor-General on the AG’s General Report.


NEW BUSINESS

SCOPA Annual Report 2005

Mr Gumede proposed that more information on the lessons learnt in the Mozambique and Australian study tours should be mentioned.

Committee decision: Mr Gumede will supply the Secretariat with the additions for amendment of the report. The Annual Report will be adopted at the following meeting.

Draft Budget 2006/07 of SCOPA

The Chairperson informed the meeting that whilst other committees have received an allocation of R500 000.00 for administrative purposes and may motivate for overseas travel from a common budget, the SCOPA was excluded from applying for this common budget for overseas travel and must do so from its R400 000.00 administrative budget allocation.

The committee was reminded that it agreed to have overseas travel on its budget because of the learning experience offered by other SCOPA’s worldwide. The main consideration is to ensure that the committee’s work is done effectively.

Discussions with Mr Doidge, held earlier this morning, went well. He was apprised of SCOPA’s situation and was sympathetic towards the committee. However, no decisions were taken and discussions on the matter will continue.

Draft framework SCOPA Workshop: 28 and 29 March 2006

The framework was accepted with the following corrections and additions:
Delete "tactics" page 2, paragraph 3, first bullet.

The workshop must include discussions on defining SCOPA’s role within Parliament. Many other portfolio committees are requesting that the Auditor-General brief it on the Department’s financial statements and this appears to make SCOPA’s role redundant.

Committee decision: The Chairperson will finalise with Mr Doidge the briefing by the Focus Group dealing with the Best Practice Guide. The committee agreed to start the programme on Tuesday, 28 March 2006, sleep over and finalise the programme the following day.

Adoption of Group 1 resolutions tabled Wednesday, 08 March 2006

The committee adopted the following resolutions:

BANKSETA
CIDB
CTFL
FAIS OMBUD
FASSET
MERSETA
PAETA
SASRIA

Agreed: Mr E Trent
Seconded: Mr H Bekker

Other Business

Certificate in Public Governance and Accountability

The Masters in Public Accounting beginning with the above certificate will commence on Friday, 17 March 2006 with the hand-out of study material.

Order paper entry of SCOPA meetings

A request was made for the Chairperson to address the entry of SCOPA’s meetings on the Order Paper that often did not reflect the committee’s meetings or indicated the wrong times of its meetings.


Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 11:15.




Chairperson: Mr N T Godi Date:




PRESENT

AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
Mr T J Bonhomme
Mr P J A Gerber
Mr D M Gumede
Mr D K Maluleke
Ms L Mashiane
Mr R S Ndou

DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE
Ms A Dreyer
Mr E W Trent

INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY
Mr H J Bekker

PAN AFRICANIST CONGRESS OF AZANIA
Mr N T Godi (Chairperson)

UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT


UNITED CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Mr B E Pule

SECRETARIAT
Ms N Madide
Mr G Dixon

PARLIAMENTARY RESEARCHER
Mr L Zepe

ANC RESEARCHER
Mrs N Seymour

OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL
Committee Adviser: Ms Z Keto
Committee Adviser: Ms N Hlasa


OPENING AND WELCOME

The Chairperson and Convenors were in early morning discussions with Mr Doidge concerning the budget allocated to SCOPA. Due to this the meeting started fifteen minutes late. The Chairperson and Convenors apologised for this.

APOLOGIES

Mr T R Mofokeng
Mr V G Smith
Mr G T Madikiza

Ms Mashiane requested that in future the Secretariat must supply more detailed explanations with regard to the apologies tabled. This will assist her as a Convenor when planning the business of the Group. The Chairperson agreed that the Secretariat would supply Group 2 with further details concerning the apologies tabled.

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