IDP: Taking the plan to the people

GEORGE NEWS - The IDP and Budget Office of George Municipality engaged with the different ward committees last week on key service delivery issues and the budget allocation.

The Integrated Development Plan (IDP) is a single inclusive plan of a municipality which links, integrates and coordinates service delivery, whereas the draft budget reflects key policy decisions and priorities, rates increases and indicates where money will be spent on programmes and services.

Only ward committees were engaged for this round of public participation. The final meeting will be held on 19 May in Pacaltsdorp Community Hall at 18:00.

It is important to note that a comprehensive public participation process will commence in August for the new four-year IDP and communities and organisations will be given an opportunity to provide inputs.

What is an IDP?

As prescribed by the Municipal System Act 2000, all municipalities must develop an IDP every five years. However, due to the impact of Covid-19, the local government elections for 2021 were delayed and municipalities did not have enough time to develop a new five-year IDP.

In terms of the Systems Act, municipalities are allowed to adopt its predecessor's IDP with or without amendments.

The George Municipality decided to adopt the IDP of its predecessor, and the new IDP process for the new term of office of council will commence in August, when the municipality will engage with communities to solicit their inputs for the budget for the new financial year.

At one of the engagements. On the left is Deputy Director of Strategic Growth and Development Dr Kosie Haarhoff, with councillors Donovan Gultig (Ward 18); Marlene Barnardt (Ward 4); Sean Snyman (Ward 28); Browen Johnson (Ward 23); Stag Cronjé (Ward 2) and Iona Kritzinger (Ward 19).