Questions & Replies: Presidency - National Planning Commission
2010-08-11
THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.
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QUESTION NO. 3372
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 NOVEMBER 2010
3372. Mr I O Davidson (DA) to ask the Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission:
(1) With reference to his reply to question 3121 on 10 November 2010, (a) on what date did the National Planning Commission establish each specified working group, (b) what is its purpose in each case and (c) what outcomes have been achieved in each case since they were established;
(2) (a) what are the names of the (i) chairperson and (ii) members of each working group and (b) on what basis is the establishment of each working group determined?
NW4202E
REPLY
(1) (a) 30 July 2010
(b) The five thematic working groups were chosen by the Commission because it covers the breadth of issues that the NPC is dealing with, it provides a basis for separating issues so that they can be dealt with in smaller chunks and that these are broadly the areas that the commission thinks are important in developing a long term plan.
(c) The proposals of each working group will serve before the Commission before any decisions with regard to possible outcomes can be determined.
(2) (a) See attached Annexure.
(b) The working groups were established based on discussions in the National Planning Commission plenary. Commissioners volunteered to serve on various working groups. The Chairperson nominated the chairs of the working groups based on their experience and area of expertise.
QUESTION NO. 3121
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 5 NOVEMBER 2010
3121. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission:
(a) How many commissions have been established by the National Planning Commission and (b) with regard to each commission, (i) when was it established, (ii) what is its purpose, (iii) what outcomes have been achieved, (iv) who (aa) are its members and (bb) is the chairperson and (v) what is the basis on which its establishment is justified?
NW3921E
REPLY:
The National Planning Commission does not have the power to appoint other commissions as this is an executive function and the members of the Commission are independent experts appointed by the President.
The Commission has, however, established five working groups (sub-committees) comprising of the members of the Commission. The purpose of these working groups is to create a platform for detailed discussion and research on the issues facing the Commission with the aim of reporting back to the Commission. Membership of each working group is open to all commissioners.
QUESTION NO. 2996
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 29 OCTOBER 2010
2996. Mr N Singh (IFP) to ask the Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission:
(1) What are the latest details regarding (a) the progress of the National Planning Commission, (b) its current challenges and (c) its obstacles;
(2) whether the National Planning Commission's strategic plans are being aligned with current budgetary requirements; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW3697E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The National Planning Commission (NPC) has held five meetings to date focussing on its mandate of developing a national vision and strategic plan for the country. In terms of the deadline set by the President, the NPC is expected to report by November 2011. While the discussions have generally been internal, there have been some consultations with experts and leaders. Details with regard to the public engagement process will be made available in early next year.
(b) & (c) There are currently no challenges or obstacles in terms of the process.
(2) The National Planning Commission is part of the Presidency's vote and as such our strategic plan is a component of the Presidency's plan. Our organisational objectives and structure is already aligned with our budget.
QUESTION NO. 2210
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20 AUGUST 2010
2210. Mr I O Davidson (DA) to ask the Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission:
With reference to his replies to question 1789 on 7 June 2010 and question 1917 on 6 August 2010, what are the criteria that will be used to calculate his proposed (a) yearly retainer and (b) daily rates for the commissioners of the National Planning Commission?
NW2717E
REPLY:
(a) & (b) The proposals that were made are based on remuneration of similar commissions, boards and entities taking into account the guidelines issued by the National Treasury. Based on best practice in board remuneration, a retainer compensates board members (or Commissioners in this case) for meeting preparation and reading time. The per meeting fee compensates people for the fact that they are either out of their work place or forfeiting an income in their business.
QUESTION NO. 2104
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 august 2010
2104. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission:
(a) Which member of the Cabinet will be responsible for taking the final decision on the issues to be discussed by the National Planning Commission in the development of South Africa Vision 2025 and (b) what criteria will be used to select these issues?
NO2533E
REPLY:
(a) The National Planning Commission is an advisory body comprising of experts in a range of fields that work under the guidance of the Minister in the Presidency responsible for the National Planning Commission. The advisory and expert nature of the National Planning Commission will allow it to develop an independent perspective on long-term planning, gather a wide range of inputs and perspectives and interact with government to get an understanding of the capacity and resource constraints that exist. Cabinet is ultimately responsible for taking decisions based on the advice and recommendations of the National Planning Commission.
(b) The mandate of the National Planning Commission determines the issues that will be discussed by the Commission in the development of Vision 2025. This mandate was approved by Cabinet in January 2010 and is clearly articulated in the Revised Green Paper: National Planning Commission published in the Government Gazette on 2 February 2010
QUESTION NO. 1917
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 JULY 2010
1917. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission:
In which category of the guidelines for the remuneration of commissions, boards and entities, as issued by the National Treasury, do the commissioners of the National Planning Commission fall?
NW2304E
REPLY:
The Commissioners of the National Planning Commission have been appointed on a part-time basis and therefore do not fall into any of the category of guidelines for the remuneration of commissions, boards and entities issued by the National Treasury.
I have proposed that all Commissioners receive an annual retainer for the year contingent on attending meetings. The proposed retainer for the deputy Chairperson is R80 000 per year and for Commissioners is R60 000 per year. It is further proposed that Commissioners will receive R8 000 per day for attending an NPC meeting and R6 000 per day for all other meetings attended relating to the work of the NPC. At this stage the Commission is likely to meet between 8 – 10 times per year. While there is no statutory obligation to do so, in the interest of prudence these figures will be finalised with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance.
In addition to the remuneration, all transport and accommodation costs related to attendance of an NPC meeting is covered by the NPC.