Letters to the Editor

Uthini, BCM?

The revised Integrated Development Plan, coupled with the budget, is probably the most important document a council approves each year before the end of June, because it details how taxpayers’ money will be spent in the coming year.

This is why households at street level must be consulted on their development needs and priorities; they need for their own sakes to participate in the drafting of these two documents.

In terms of Section 28(2) of the Municipal Systems Act, each year, before it starts with the IDP and budget, a municipal council adopts a process plan indicating how the public will be able to participate in this process.

This process plan describes ways of consulting the public, like meetings of the IDP Representative Forum (consisting of councillors, government officials, community members), IDP road shows, mayoral imbizos, etc.

Physical distancing regulations required by lockdown means these consultation meetings will need some creativity, as interaction in large groups is severely restricted.

To ensure that the IDPs and budgets of municipalities are approved by the end of June yet still with consultation, Cogta minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has issued regulations in terms of the Disaster Management Act stating that “communities are consulted using media platforms and alternative methods of consultation, instead of contact meetings” to comment on the draft IDP and budget.

Consultation is a two-way process which requires interaction. It is not a one-way communication.

Many consultation options are available, not only community radio.

The chosen options should reflect the needs of the local community in each local authority.

Municipalities should be aware that meaningful participation in administrative decision-making is required by the Public Administrative Justice Act.

I see a number of municipalities are now advertising how they will manage their IDP community consultations.

Most are advertising “roadshows” by means of a presentation on local community radio stations.

Some are requesting that communities participate by means of telephone calls “which will be open for them to engage”. They do not indicate whether such calls will be toll free or not.

Other municipalities say they will consult their local communities via their Facebook pages and websites. Some have scheduled online meetings with their IDP representative forums to discuss the draft IDP.

BCM, however, is silent on the issue.

— Christo Theart, chair of the centre for local community rights