Media Statement on Provincial Aids Council and Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday, 26 October 2016
Limpopo Provincial Aids Council (LPAC)
The Limpopo Provincial Aids Council held its meeting in Polokwane and reflected on a number of matters. Currently, Limpopo Province is number six nationally in terms of HIV and Aids prevalence at 20.3%. The District prevalence stats are as follows: Waterberg 27.3, Mopani 24.6, Capricorn 21.1, Sekhukhune 18.1 and Vhembe at 15%.
LPAC will embark on a HIV Prevention campaign targeting young women and girls. The objective of the campaign is to decrease new HIV infections in girls and young women, decrease teen pregnancies and decrease sexual and gender based violence amongst others.
The Province is expected to develop an integrated implementation plan to roll out the campaign in the following local municipalities: Capricorn-Polokwane, Mopani-Greater Tzaneen, Sekhukhune-Greater Tubatse, Vhembe-Thulamela/Makhado and Waterberg-Mogalakwena. The Council has also directed all municipalities to utilise their 15% allocated budget to develop the Sport and Recreation facilities in their areas to ensure that young people are occupied in sporting activities.
As part of the campaign, each MEC, District Mayor and Mayor will adopt one youth headed household or school in the area of their choice to provide support based on the need identified. LPAC resolved that 2016 World AIDS day will be commemorated at Greater Giyani local Municipality, Mopani District on the 1st December 2016.
LPAC directed that an induction of all Mayors and Councillors in the Province on the operations of AIDS Council be facilitated in collaboration with SALGA. Limpopo Provincial AIDS Council Technical Committee (LPACTC) should develop a funding framework of Civil Society Sectors at Provincial, District and Local levels.
Limpopo Executive Council meeting
The Executive Council met at crucial time when matric class of 2016 learners are preparing to write their final examinations. Limpopo Provincial Government wishes them best of luck as they write their final exams. As government, we know it’s not easy but with dedication and hard work it’s possible to achieve best results. Limpopo Provincial Government remains resolute that we can achieve the target we have set for ourselves.
Review of the Limpopo HRD Strategy
EXCO has approved the reviewed Limpopo Human Resource Development Strategy (LHRDS) 2016-2020. A memorandum requesting approval of the revised Limpopo Human Resource Development Strategy (LHRDS) was presented to the Executive Council meeting.
The memorandum highlighted that the Provincial Human Resource Development Strategy (PHRDS) 2010-2014 was developed in order to support the Limpopo Economic Growth and Development Plan 2009-2014. The (PHRDS) 2010-2014 passed its final year of operation in 2014 and this presented an opportunity to review the Strategy in line with current government priorities, legislation and political mandates as per the manifesto of the ruling party and the National Skills Development Strategy.
The Provincial Human Resource Development Strategy has therefore, been reviewed in order to align and support the broader goals of national and provincial governments priorities and to address service delivery challenges, poverty alleviation, reduce unemployment, and reduce society inequalities, and to produce human capital to support economic growth. The overall purpose of the review was, therefore, to support the broader goals of the national and provincial government priorities, to give effect to the Limpopo Development Plan 2015-2019 and to ensure that the efforts in developing human resources are well coordinated and focused to relevant and specific needs.
Budget Lekgotla Framework
A memorandum requesting approval for the implementation of the proposed framework for the EXCO Budget Lekgotla scheduled to take place on the 9th November 2016 was presented to the Executive Council meeting.
The memorandum highlighted the following:-
The forthcoming EXCO Budget Lekgotla will focus on the review of provincial and municipal expenditure trends to date, forecasted expenditure up to the end of the 2016/17 financial year. In line with the requirements of departments to maintain fiscal disciple through reprioritization from non-core items to cover contractual obligations as well as non-negotiable items, the Budget Lekgotla will also consider progress on implementation of procurement plans so as to ensure timeous implementation of programmes and projects linked to the departmental APP targets.
The Budget Lekgotla will in the main focus on the following reports:-
i. Overview by the Director-General with specific focus on the implementation of the Limpopo Development Plan, including the Economic Summit Resolutions;
ii. Report by the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism with specific focus on the Provincial Socio-Economic Framework;
iii. State of Municipalities Report (Including Back2Basics progress report) by the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs;
iv. Report by the Provincial Treasury focussing on the assessment of Expenditure Bilaterals and MTEC Hearings; MTEF Projections for the 2017/18 financial year;
Provincial Fiscal Framework for 2017/18 financial year;
v. Analysis report on the implementation of Cluster Programmes of Action 2016/17 during the 2nd quarter by the Office of the Premier.
The Executive Council approved the framework for the EXCO Budget Lekgotla scheduled to take place on the 9th November 2016 as presented.
Revenue and Expenditure Report for September 2016
A progress report on provincial revenue and expenditure as at the 30th September 2016 was presented to the Executive Council meeting.
The report highlighted the following:-
a) Overall provincial spending amounted to R27.9 billion representing 49.0% of the total appropriation of R56.969 billion;
b) Provincial equitable share spending was at R24.6 billion representing 49.4% of the total budget of R49.8 billion;
c) Compensation of Employees (CoE) spent R19.9 billion representing 48.9% of the total budget of R40.794 billion;
d) Goods and Services spent R3.9 billion representing 49.9% of the total budget of R7.7 billion;
e) Transfers and subsidies spent R3.5 billion representing 57.0% of the total budget of R6.1 billion;
f) Payment for Capital Assets spent R637.3 million representing 27.7% of the total budget of R2.3 billion;
g) Conditional Grants recorded an expenditure of R3.3 billion representing 46.3% of the total budget of R7.1 billion;
h) Provincial Infrastructure expenditure stood at R2.1 billion representing 44.0% of the total budget of R4.7 billion; and
i) Provincial own revenue collection was R778.8 million representing 73.3% of the total budget of R1.063 billion.
Central Audit Committee (CAC) 2nd Quarter Report 2016/17 (Chairperson CAC)
A memorandum providing a performance report in respect of the Central Audit Committee during the 1st quarter of the 2016/176 financial year was presented to the Executive Council meeting.
The memorandum highlighted the following:-
a) The Cluster meetings held curing September 2016 were scheduled to consider the departmental reports for the first quarter of the 2016/17 financial year ending 30 June 2016;
b) The Central Audit Committee took note of the following:-
i. Administrative matters:-
The quality of the reports was up to standard and addressed issues of performance at a level allowing meaningful input from Audit Committee members. On the overall, there was systematic cohesion in the manner in which the departments were discharging their responsibilities; and
ii. Assessment of quarter four performance:-
Departmental performance discussions were based on the seven (7) areas of assessment. The report highlighted key trends, findings and recommendations for those areas that show potential risks that have to be monitored and managed closely. Detailed findings per department were outlined to the meeting.
The Executive Council directed as that there is a need to pay serious attention to the Litigation cases against the Province, considering the value of these litigation cases amounting to R1.8 billion. That consideration should be given to provide more hands-on Internal Support to large departments such as Education and Health. That the Office of the Premier should intervene and assist the State Security Agency to improve their turnaround time in the processing of vetting of SMS members; and that MECs should provide a more hands-on support to the process of filling vacant SMS posts in their respective departments considering that this function has not been delegated to Accounting Officers.
Update on Preparations for the Provincial Economic Summit
The Executive Council was briefed on the preparation towards the hosting of the Limpopo Economic Summit scheduled for the 4th November 2016. A progress report with regard to the preparations for the Provincial Economic Summit was presented to the Executive Council meeting.
The report highlighted the following:-
The Limpopo Provincial Economic Summit is to take place on 04 November 2016, to be held at the Ranch Resort. The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa and the Deputy Minister for Economic Development has confirmed their attendance. The Economic Summit Task Team has been convening on a weekly basis to consider progress made by the various teams.
The Executive Council directed as follows:-
That Commission focusing on SMME’s, Co-operatives, Informal Sector and Traditional Leadership must include a dedicated discussion on the Impact of Arts and Culture have towards economic development; and the Implementation of the Spatial Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) in the Province.
Enquiries:
Mr Phuti Seloba
Cell: 082 807 0796
