NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
Provisional Programme for First Half of 2000

1. INTRODUCTION.
This is a provisional programme that will be finalised as the overall parliamentary programme and the Department’s programme is finalised.

This programme has to be linked to our programme of the second half of last year. You are referred to the" Provisional Work Programme" September to November 1999" document, and in particular to the section on "Overall Approach".

2. LEGISLATION
2.1 We have finalised the Fire Brigades Amendment Bill expeditiously – good!

2.2 According to the Department, the following are the bills to be introduced to parliament during this half of the year:
· Local Government Municipal Systems Bill – 20 April
· Transfer of Staff to Municipalities Amendment Bill – 20 April
· Amendments to the Remuneration of Public Office Bearer Act and the National House of Traditional Leaders Act – 20 April
· Cross Boundaries Municipalities Bill – as soon as appropriate negotiations are finalised
· Municipal Elections Legislation – this may have to be processed jointly with the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee
· Disaster Management Bill – 28 April
· Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities Bill – as soon as appropriate negotiations are finalised

3. OVERSIGHT
3.1 The Portfolio Committee will continue to monitor and scrutinise the work of the Department and Ministry. Among the key issues to be monitored are:
· The implementation of the new system of local government, with a particular emphasis on local government finances
· Municipal service partnerships
· Disaster management
· Traditional leadership
· The Section 185 Commission
· Intergovernmental relations

3.2 The Department’s budget hearings will be held on Tuesday 7 March, Tuesday 14 March, Wednesday, 15 March and Friday 17 March. The budget vote will be debated in the National Assembly on Tuesday, 11 April

4. Municipal Demarcation and Elections
The Portfolio Committee will continue to monitor the demarcation process and the preparation for municipal elections. The Demarcation Board will continue to give regular briefings to the Committee, and, where necessary, the IEC will also be asked to brief the Committee. We will also continue to attend the Demarcation Board’s "Stakeholders Meetings" when necessary.

5. Conclusion
5.1 Enclosed are details of the programme. Please note that our allocated times are from 09:00 to 13:00 on Tuesdays and Fridays. However we will also meet on Wednesdays, if necessary, provided we get permission from the Chairperson of Committees.

5.2 To facilitate matters expeditiously, the Management Committee of the Portfolio Committee will meet as necessary

5.3 Please feel free to raise any matters you want to with the Chairperson (Yunus Carrim, ex 3082 or 082 553 0174) directly or with the Whip of the majority party (Danny Olifant, ex 3022 or 082 498 3268)

5.4 This is going to be quite a challenging year! Let us work together to ensure that the Committee plays its fullest role in meeting the challenges.

15 February 2000