Government Immovable Asset Management Bill: discussion

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Meeting report

PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE

PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
23 May 2006
GOVERNMENT IMMOVABLE ASSET MANAGEMENT BILL: DISCUSSION


Chairperson: Mr F Bhengu (ANC)

Documents handed out:
National Department of Public Works Presentation on Bill as presented on 3 May 2006
Government-wide Immovable Asset Management Bill [B1-2006]

SUMMARY
The Committee met to discuss the Immovable Asset Management Bill, especially the fact that the Bill would initially apply only to the national and provincial spheres of government, and not local government. According to the Department, this was due to the complex legislation that surrounded local government. The Committee advocated the inclusion of local government into the Bill and stressed the relevance of immovable assets to development. Asset registers at the municipal level would promote transformation by identifying owners and allowing assets to be transferred to the previously disadvantaged.

MINUTES
The Chairperson indicated that the Department would be present the following day to discuss the Government Immovable Asset Management Bill. Members should use the meeting to interrogate the key issues and they should consider the issue of the inclusion of local government into the proposed legislation. The Bill should relate to all three spheres of government. An amendment was needed to incorporate local government into the immovable assets process. The Department was unable to specify what complexities hindered the inclusion of local government into the legal framework. The Department claimed that extensive consultations were needed to identify the complexities but these issues had been known for some time. The Department appeared to be instructing the Committee on what action to take with regard to the Bill.

Mr J Blanche (DA) stated that public administration was trapped in the same mindset as characterised the previous government. Local government should play a leading role in community development and the use of fixed public assets. The future sound development of towns and cities depended on the establishment of government precincts comprising immovable assets such as fire stations. Proper town planning was required to enhance living standards.

Mr B Radebe (ANC) noted that the briefing had not clearly indicated how local government was to be included and declared that the envisaged plan should be explained.

The Chairperson stated that the Department of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG) had only recently been included in the process to formulate the Bill. National Treasury should have been involved in the compilation of the presentation.

Mr L Maduma (ANC) said that the Bill had to include local government due to the extensive challenges within that government tier. The creation of asset registers throughout local government would accelerate transformation. The previously disadvantaged had to acquire access to immovable assets to facilitate empowerment.

Ms T Nwamitwa-Shilubana (ANC) asked how public assets within the former homelands were being used to foster progress. No distinction currently prevailed between users and custodians of local government assets. In many cases, the legitimate owners of assets were not known. The Department had to acknowledge the concerns of the Committee and ensure that assets were properly controlled.

The Chairperson said that the Department was aware of shortcomings at the local government level and a meeting would be arranged with the Minister in the short term. The Department tended to assume ideas that originated from the Committee as their own. Timeframes for the inclusion of local government had to be stipulated.

Mr M Likotsi (PAC) stated that the Department should prepare a document highlighting solutions to key problems and propose suitable amendments to the Bill.

The Chairperson advocated that the Department work closely with DPLG to produce relevant regulations. The Committee would monitor local government in accordance with its oversight responsibilities. One could not hope to implement ASGISA (Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa) successfully while people at the grassroots level did not even know about the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). He suggested visiting provinces towards the end of June. He noted that Members would undertake a research trip to Canada in September.

Ms Nwamitwa-Shilubana agreed that the Department need to monitor local government so as to be able to make progress with its EPWP.

Mr Maduna stressed the importance of supporting local municipalities and also of getting support of other local municipalities that are prospering.

Ms Nwamitwa-Shilubana commented that local government should play a larger role in the Expanded Public Works Programme.

The meeting was adjourned.

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