Now that the draft budget, Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and tariffs for the new financial year have been tabled in council, the City of Johannesburg is calling residents for their input.
Meetings have been scheduled from 5 April until 8 May throughout the City’s seven regions to encourage public participation.
Speaker of Council, Vasco Da Gama, said residents must indeed shape the City’s budget and IDP through public participation.
“It is very important for residents to attend the IDP consultation meetings in their regions in big numbers. This is in order to ensure that their voices are heard, that they ensure the final budget reflects their needs and that they hold the executive to account,” he said.
“The IDP process is one of the most powerful tools which residents could use to influence the direction they want their municipality to take, and to influence which services they think must be prioritised and budgeted for by the City. It also enables them to hold the executive accountable.”
The IDP is the City’s outlined plan and takes into account the needs of residents, whether it be fixing potholes or building more libraries. It is a long-term development approach that is centred on the decision-making process of the budget and tariffs.
Last year, before the IDP was adopted in May, many of the approximately 30 public meetings held before the IDP’s regional summits either ended with disruptions or violence.
At a Midrand regional summit meeting, some politicians even landed in hospital after bloody clashes.
At the time, Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba said it was an attempt to undo the change the City has made, and that the move was undermining the will of residents. The ANC, however, felt that the majority of residents were not represented at these meetings.
The meetings will take place as follows:
Region E
When: 5 April
Where: The Marlboro Community Centre, 52 Zinnia Drive
Time: 6pm
Region A
When: 7 April
Where: Rabie Ridge Community Hall in Kraai Street, Rabie Ridge behind the police station
Time: 10am
Region F
When: 11 April
Where: Johannesburg City Hall on the corner of Helen Joseph and City Hall streets
Time: 6pm
Region B
When: 14 April
Where: Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre on the corner of Rex Street and Plantation Road in Montclare
Time: 10am.
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