2007-2009 Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture strategic plan March 2009

Report on Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture strategic plan 2007-2009

Background to this planning session

The planning session held in Gordon's Bay on 5 and 6 March 2007 marks the mid-way of the committee's term of office. A business plan had previously been drawn up by the committee, but major changes had occurred in the committee membership. The committee does not currently have a chair and the ANC committee whip is acting as the chair. The committee recognises that arts and culture is often marginalized in government policy and planning and does not receive the attention it deserves.

Although the plan drawn up is a three-year plan, the committee recognised that their work needed a long-term vision.

All of the planning done by the committee was done within government policy and priorities with a focus on poverty eradication and job creation.

The Director-General of the Department of Arts and Culture, Professor I. Mosala, presented the department's strategic plan to the committee. The committee aligned its plans with those of the Department.

Vision & Mission

The vision and mission were not discussed in the workshop. The AFReC facilitator noted that the mission of the Committee was a good mission-clearly stating the current functions of the committee. However the vision was poor, and seemed to state objectives. A vision should capture a future desired state an organisation wishes to create

Beneficiaries {clients} of Portfolio Committee

The committee drew up a list of beneficiaries. It was recognised that these beneficiaries were the committee's 'clients' which the committee needed to provide a service to. The complex nature of a parliamentary portfolio committee was recognised.

Outcomes (Changes to beneficiaries)

The committee developed a set of outcomes. Outcomes are the changes that occur in the beneficiaries. They are not under the direct control of an organisation. An organisation will playa role in realising outcomes, but outcomes will be affected by other stakeholders and the choices made by the beneficiaries.

Portfolio Committee achievements in this term of office

The committee is halfway through its term of office and this planning session is tasked with drawing up a three-year plan (2007-2009). This plan is based on the achievements of the committee to date-which forms the baseline for the plan.

Objectives

Five focus areas were identified for the committees work:

· The management of the committee

· Passing legislation

· Oversight

· Special projects of the committee

· Capacity Building of committee members

(Objectives were set for these four focus areas.)

Activities

The major activities to reach the objectives were set. In the process of setting activities, the wording of the objectives was discussed, to ensure it reflected the commitment of the committee. Activities are the direct actions the committee is responsible for.

Target/ Indicators

Targets were set for activities. The targets state the quantity and quality for each activity where appropriate. In addition to quantity and quality targets; - inputs, a timeline and responsible persons were identified.

Inputs/resources: timeline and dates and responsible person

To ensure that the activities take place the inputs required were noted. It is the committee member's responsibility to mobilise these resources. It was recognised that the most challenging resource- was time. For this reason, time was made a separate item on the plan and members were asked to set realistic timeframes and delivery dates, within the context of the parliamentary calendar and their commitments.

Finalisation of the plan

The draft plan was provided by the consultant, to the Committee Secretary on 9 March 2007. The plan requires finalisation and adoption by the Committee.

AFReC wishes to thank the Committee for the invaluable experience of assisting with its planning and the co-operative attitude and dedication from committee in the planning process