Adoption of outstanding reports & Review of Committee business plan

1. Opening and consideration of agenda

The Chairperson opened the meeting by presenting the agenda for the day.

2. Oversight visit report of the Committee for 2005/2006

The Chairperson presented the final version of the oversight visits report with the amendments effected on it in the previous meeting of the Committee.

Mr Blanche recommended that all recommendations made by the Committee to the Department and its entities should be reviewed at least on a quarterly basis.

The Committee unanimously supported this proposal. Further it was agreed that all documentation given by the Committee Secretary to the Members should be numbered accordingly.

3. Annual report of the Committee for 2005/2006

The Chairperson presented the annual report, as was amendment by the Members in the Committee previous meeting.

Mr Blanche felt strongly that it was necessary to mention in the Committee report every member of the Committee who went to Mabey and Johnson in London and Philippine, including those whose trip was not paid by Parliament. However the majority of the Committee felt that the Committee's responsibility was to account for only those whose trip was paid by Parliament and nothing more.

Nonetheless the Chairperson called upon the Members of the Committee to declare whatever interest they might have received while in London or Philippine.

The Committee unanimously adopted the annual report of the Committee, noting that a final version would have to be circulated to Members for consideration.

4. Department and entities annual reports for 2005/2006

The Chairperson presented the department and entities annual report for consideration.

The Committee Secretary was requested to get the Construction Charter for Members and to further ensure that the Committee is informed timeously as to the exact dates of the Construction week launch by the Minister.

It was recommended that this report should be read in conjunction with the report on the oversight visits undertaken by the Committee during 2005/2006.

The Committee unanimously adopted the report, noting that a final version would have to be circulated to Members for consideration.

The Chairperson proposed that:

• The Departments of Land Affairs, Housing, Provincial & Local Government and Public Works should form a cluster with a view of developing and monitoring the Register of all State's assets.

• The accommodation needs of all the State Departments should be considered and hence it is important that they be consulted in the process.

• These Departments should also ensure that the Asset Register is finalized and a common disposal policy is developed.

The Committee adopted these recommendations. It further noted that Chairpersons of all Provincial Legislatures and all the nine PDPW be invited during the course of the second term.