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

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

3. 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.

4. 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”

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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”

17. Thank you! 17