Call for input on IDP as deadline approaches

WITH only a week left, members of the public and businesses operating in the city are urged to submit input for the drafting of the City’s new five-year Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

The IDP focuses on the needs of Cape Town, service delivery, and how to involve communities and reach communities and residents.

The IDP will be the City’s principal strategic guide for all planning, budgeting and delivery over the next five years.

The draft IDP will be made available for public comment during March/April 2022.

The City said: “Once approved, the IDP will set the City of Cape Town’s developmental goals and needs, and other strategic priorities for the period. Thus, it is an extremely important policy document as the City’s budget and performance targets for the next five years will be based on the priorities and strategies outlined in the IDP.

“This year’s input methods and period have been impacted, and thus restricted, by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the late local government election date.”

Development Action Group Programme director Helen Rourke called on the City to extend the deadline.

“Last year the City of Cape Town was exceptionally proactive around the District Plans and we are aware that processes are under way in a number of neighbourhoods around Local Area Plans.

“It is unfortunate that there hasn’t been the same public visibility of the District Planning with the upcoming IDP for Cape Town. The call for comments is a critical moment for citizens to articulate local and city-wide issues to be factored into the drafting of the City IDP.

“However, the timing and low visibility is a cause for concern. We would like to urge the City to extend the deadline for comments,” she said.

Inputs can be submitted by hand at the City’s local subcouncil offices and libraries, online via City websites, or email public.participation@ capetown.gov.za.

Those who need help to submit comments can contact the City’s Public Participation Unit on 0800 212 176.