Residents’ input on better delivery to reflect in budget

ETHEKWINI Mayor Zandile Gumede said the residents’ comments on city budget hearings will be taken into account next week, when she delivers her first budget.

The meetings for public comment on the municipality’s R45-billion draft budget for the 2017/18 financial year ended on Thursday.

These were aimed at encouraging residents to contribute to how the city should spend money to improve service delivery.

Gumede said consulting communities was an integral part of the budget process.

“The budget hearings have gone well. We are pleased people came out in their numbers to participate in this process. They listened and aired their views. Municipal officials are analysing comments made during the hearings and will incorporate their input in the budget process,” she said.

Gumede declared her budget, to be tabled next week, as the people’s budget.

“The budget must reflect the people. It must bring hope and show the seriousness of service delivery,” she said.

Among projects in the new financial year, in a bid to stop illegal dumping and promote cleanliness, the City will set up an environmental forum to address the low levels of environmental management, littering and illegal dumping.

“There needs to be a collaborative approach among City departments on how we address these challenges. Through the environmental forum, we will ensure that the City is kept clean. We should also make opportunities available for local communities so that they become part of this programme,” said Gumede.