MAKANA residents were invited to a series of imbizos this month, aiming to inform them about the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
MAKANA residents were invited to a series of imbizos this month, aiming to inform them about the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
The IDP is a five year plan which is reviewed annually through public participation in the form of imbizos. The IDP Review programme is conducted in time for the new financial year at the end of July, and reflects the needs of the communities which are integrated into the budget as well as giving locals a voice on how their community is run and developed.
Makana Municipality spokesperson, Thandy Matebese says the IDP review process aligns itself with the budget by identifying the needs and then putting a cost to it.
“We are making sure it talks to the budget and isn’t just a wish list,” he said. According to the report dated May 2010 from the IDP Performance Managment System Manager to the Budget, Treasury, and IDP Portfolio Committee, the municipality has just finished phase three of the review process which involves strategic objectives, strategies and projects for the 2010/11 financial year.
“These strategic objectives and strategies were crafted internally through different directorate strategic planning sessions as reported last month,” the report read.
According to the report, the municipality consulted its stakeholders last month as required by the Municipal Systems Act of 2000.
The Act states that the municipality must review the IDP every year in accordance with the ever-changing needs of communities.
Areas of proposed development objectives, strategies and projects for 2010/11 includes the maintenance of efficient and effective administration, basic service delivery and Local Economic Development.
Basic service delivery includes the improvement of primary healthcare services, contribution towards a safe and secure environment, promoting a culture of reading and learning as well as infrastructural development.
The development strategy for the improvement of healthcare services, is to ensure that health services and facilities are accessible and that primary healthcare services are effective and efficient.
This should be facilitated through proposed projects and programmes including the establishment of a 24 hour community health centre in Joza, planning for clinics in Transit Camp and Extension 10 as well as establishing and upgrading satellite clinics in Hoogenoeg, Silvertown and Mayfield.
The objective to promote a culture of reading will be tackled through effective and efficient library services and access to those services through programmes such as constructing a new library in Riebeeck East, establishing a mobile library in Transit Camp, Eluxolweni and Hoogenoeg as well as public access to the internet.
Operational fire stations in Alicedale and Riebeeck East, a fire station in Grahamstown East and implementing a toll free number and customer care line have also beem put forward.
A circular from the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), spoke ofEskom’s increase in the municipal electricity bulk tarriff increase as well as a municipal guideline restricting them to a 15.03% electricity tariff increase.
According to Matebese, a possible increase will be determined after it has been discussed at a mayoral committee meeting and approved by council.
Another key performance area in the IDP Review is to increase the regional growth domestic product by 3.5% per year to match district and provincial growth rates.
