Minister for Provincial and Local Government: second reading debate on the
Local Government Laws Amendment Bill, 2007
25 October 2007
Madam Speaker and honourable members
The Department of Provincial and Local Government is committed to ensuring
that local government delivers services to the people. To achieve this
objective, one of the key tasks for us is to continually reflect on the
legislative and institutional context of local government and taking into
account our experiences over the last ten years, propose policy and legislative
refinements.
The Local Government Laws Amendment Bill, 2007, is one important step in
this direction. As you may be aware, other processes will follow notably, a
major review of local government and the White Paper process on provincial
government currently underway in government.
The Local Government Laws Amendment Bill effects amendments that refine,
adjust and align core local government legislation such as the Local
Government: Municipal Demarcation Act, 1998, the Local Government: Municipal
Structures Act, 1998, the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 and the
Local Government Municipal Property Rates Act, 2004. It also repeals
legislation that has become redundant.
The policy intentions of the amendments contained in the Bill serve to,
among others, specifically improve fiscal alignment, planning and budgeting,
promote the uniform interpretation and application of the law, enhance
performance management in local government, further refine and remove
impediments in the implementation of municipal property rates, promote
practices in good governance and ensure alignment among legislation pertaining
to local government.
The Department of Provincial and Local Government welcomes the additional
amendment adopted by the Portfolio Committee that strengthens the participation
of ward committees in public participation and in undertaking and implementing
development projects in the ward. This significant improvement to the role of
the ward committee provides further opportunities to deepen democracy and
community involvement in local development projects.
I would like to thank the members of the Portfolio Committee on Local
Government, under the able leadership of Mr Lechesa Tsenoli, for the lively
discussions and for thorough and rigorous deliberations on the Bill.
Undoubtedly, your long experience in matters affecting local government
enriched the deliberations by the Committee. I would also like to thank all
stakeholders who provided useful criticism and insight on various clauses of
the Bill.
I urge all members of Parliament to vote for the adoption of the Bill.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Provincial and Local Government
25 October 2007
