Review not intended to compromise transparency

YOUReditorial “Building Plans” (August 14) refers.

The City of Cape Town by no means treats the process of public participation as a “slightly inconvenient legal requirement”. On the contrary, we consider public participation a fundamental, valuable and essential part of the work we do.

The process of formal public participation is not under review. The review mainly concerns the decisionmaking element relating to land use planning functions. This forms part of an overall broader assessment of the city’s planning systems.

Public participation processes will continue and ward councillors will always be informed of applications.

The review of the delegations system comes after engagement with internal structures, which has included consideration of sentiments expressed by various outside bodies, such as civic associations.

A previous report from officials on this matter was not put to the council, so as to allow for more discussion and refinement of the proposals. We have since given all public representatives over two months to carefully consider these matters, further allowing each political caucus their own adequate opportunity to assess the issues. This ensures all elected representatives have their voices heard.

Our objective with this initiative is to protect the rights of all citizens in accordance with the law, while ensuring that our policies and practices help contribute to sustainable economic development. This review of the system of delegations was necessary in terms of Section 59 (1) of the Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000 which necessitates that the system must “enable maximum administrative and operational efficiency in the affairs of council”.

Reviews of this nature are required by law to ensure that council processes ensure effective public input in planning matters while ensuring that responsible and sustainable development can be achieved.

Neither the executive mayor nor any other single individual will be making all the decisions on planning matters. Furthermore, whatever structure of council makes a planning decision, full auditable records are always kept to further enhance transparency.

Further discussion has led to the proposal that subcouncils are to decide on all policy-compliant applications should any public objections be lodged.

The city’s Spatial Planning, Environment and Land Use Management Committee will consider all larger applications that trigger environmental or traffic impact assessments. In addition, the law still allows for appeal to the relevant body in council, regardless of which structure took the decision, thus allowing the opportunity for decisions to be reviewed where necessary. This means all decisions can be appealed, including those of the mayoral committee.

Notwithstanding the above, no final decision has been taken on the reviewed system and it is yet to be formally considered by council. To date, all that has taken place is debate and consideration of the merits of various models that will help to ensure administrative and operational efficiency, which is in line with democratic and consultative principles.

Furthermore, in light of concerns that other issues are linked to this matter, the city wishes to again confirm that all decisions taken to date by the council have been undertaken through the existing delegations system of the City of Cape Town. Councillor Garreth Bloor