Policy Process on the System of Provincial and Local Government Provincial and Local Government Portfolio Committee 16 October 2007

Content Background Successes Rationale for review Launch Policy Questions Process outline Role of Civil Society formations Timelines

Background January 2007 Extended Cabinet Lekgotla mandated dplg to undertake two major governance policy review processes: To draft a White Paper on Provincial Government; and Undertake a Review of White Paper on Local Government.

Background President in Parliament – 31 May 2007 “Examining the macro-organisation of the state is to assess whether the central objectives of government to serve the people are being advanced by the current provincial and local government arrangements and what actions would be required to address this imperatives”

Successes Economy moving to higher range of growth – expected 5% growth by 2009 % of households with access to services from 1994 to 2007: Water 59% - 86%; Sanitation 48% - 73% Electricity 30% - 73% Housing - 2,35 million housing units completed from 1994 to 2007

Rationale for Review Address the structure and governance arrangement of the state, and improve the policy and regulatory environment of LG; Macro-organisations of the state; Body of practical experience about governance and development exist considering the13 years of democratic practice; New system of Local Government; and Absence of definite policy on provincial government.

Launch of Process Process launched on 31 July 2007; 65 Questions gazetted and published; Frame and introduce a national discource; Open and transparent process; Mobilise the country on a sound and rational base for policy review and governance reforms; and Public submissions.

Policy Questions 65 Questions Local Government Provincial Government National Government Powers and Functions Development Planning Monitoring and Evaluation

Policy Questions Local Government Community participation/partnerships; Responsiveness and Accountability; Structure of LG; (two-tier system) National targets; Environment; and Revenue base and viability

Policy Questions Provincial Government Limited revenue raising powers; Executive and Legislative Accountability; Provincial role in nation-building; Provincial role in environmental pressures affecting developmental needs of municipalities; and Purpose, structure, scale and source of funding.

Policy Questions 3. National Government Nat. government role in effectively supporting other spheres (planning, co-ordination, capacitation, etc); Alternative mechanisms for strengthening IGR in addition to institutional arrangement; Link co-ordination with accountability

Policy Questions 4. Powers & Functions 5. Planning Appropriate location of functional responsibilities between spheres, and appropriateness of concurrency; 5. Planning Explores challenges of managing development planning, and Meaning of geographical and spatial differences; 6. Monitoring & Evaluation An effective, integrated and aligned system of M&E within and across spheres.

Process Outline Process characterised by two element: Comprehensive empirical research programme – evidence based conclusions; and Public written comments and extensive public engagement processes; Supplemented by a sustained communication plan, roundtables, seminars, focus groups,Policy conference, etc

Role of Parliament/Legislature Process to benefit from rich practical experiences and views of legislative arm of government; Opportunity to shape and influence governance reforms processes; Participation and engagement on the released questions; Provide written responses to the questions; and Relationship with Parliamentary Committee looking at Powers and Function.

Conclusion Timelines Review of the White Paper on Local Government Formulation of a White Paper on Provincial Government Three Phase Process July 2007 Dec 2007 Early 2008 Overview of major policy issues and publication of questions Extended research and policy options – Green Paper on Provinces Gazetting, public comment, feedback, final drafting of White Paper on Provinces and Review report on Local Government 15

Closure Allen Schick, a leading experts on public sector reform. In his paper, Opportunity,Strategy, and Tactics in reforming Public Management. “The failure to systematically evaluate what has been accomplished is one of the greatest threats to durable innovation in public management. Best strategy is to forthrightly monitor progress, be honest about what has worked and what has not, and make numerous midcourse corrections”

Thank you! 17