New Eersterus Petition: Discussion, Proposed Workshop, Minutes: adoption

MEMBERS’ LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS SELECT COMMITTEE
20 November 2007
NEW EERSTERUS PETITION: DISCUSSION, PROPOSED WORKSHOP, MINUTES: ADOPTION

Chairperson: Mr F Adams (ANC, Western Cape)

Documents handed out:
Minutes of Committee Meetings held on:
11 September 2007;
26 October 2007;
30 October 2007;
9 November 2007
6 November 2007.

Audio recording of meeting

SUMMARY
The Committee adopted the Minutes of Committee Meetings held on 11 September, 26 October, 30 October, 9 November and 16 November 2007 with amendments.

It was announced that a one day oversight visit by a subcommittee would take place to Hammanskraal, to engage with  Tshwane Municipality, the Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Local Government, and the petitioners. The likely date was 29 November.

It was announced that the dates for the proposed workshop had been moved to 23 to 25 January 2008, with a committee meeting on 22 January. The venues and documents would be sent to Members.

MINUTES
Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of Committee Meetings held on 11 September 2007; 26 October 2007; 30 October 2007; 9 November 2007 and 16 November 2007 were tabled. Members discussed them and proposed amendments. All minutes were adopted, with the necessary amendment.

Mr A Watson (DA, Mpumalanga) proposed that to save time minutes be circulated at least three days before the meeting to enable members to go over them and submit corrections to the secretary beforehand.

The Chairperson noted that this would be desirable. He pointed out that the current  Committee Secretary was serving two committees. He had written to the Committee Section to ask for a dedicated, full time secretary and was awaiting their response. He would now speak to them urgently.
 
Eersterus Petition
The Chairperson noted that the background to this matter had been discussed at the previous meeting. A subcommittee would go to Hammanskraal to engage with the Tshwane Municipality as well as the Portfolio committee on Local Government of the Gauteng Legislature, and then address the petitioners. When people sent petitions to Parliament they must know they were taken seriously. The subcommittee would consist of Mr Adams, Mr Watson, Mr Mzizi and Mr Shiceka. The one day oversight visit would most likely take place on 29 November 2007.

Proposed Workshop
The Chairperson noted that the dates for the proposed workshop had been moved to 23 to 25 January 2008, with a committee meeting on 22 January. Although it was originally planned to take place in Gauteng, venues were fully booked. The Chairperson had asked the Secretary to look at possible venues in the George/Mossel Bay/Knysna area or Durban. Documents would be sent to Members.

On behalf of the committee, Mr Watson thanked Mr Adams for his leadership during the year and hoped that next year the Committee could work more efficiently.

The meeting was adjourned.