Residents can start submitting their nominations for their ward committee members.
The time to make your ward more effective and efficient has come, following the opening of nominations for ward committee members (WCM).
From January 20 to February 18, residents will be able to stand and suggest those who would work with their ward councillor. Their responsibility is to make the municipality aware of the needs and concerns of residents and keep people informed of the activities of the municipality.
According to former Ward 86 councillor Steve Kotze, the concept of a ward committee is to promote public participation in local government decision-making. “Volunteers from the community in a ward need ideally to have been active in the sector to which the portfolio pertains. This will ensure effective networking in respective sectors and meaningful contribution at ward committee level.”
The main functions of a ward committee include various duties:
- Advising and making recommendations to ward councillors on matters and policies affecting the ward
- Assisting the ward councillor to increase the participation of local residents in municipal decision-making, as they are a direct and unique link with the council
- Primarily representatives from the local ward community and not from a political party
- Members should be involved in matters such as the Integrated Development Plan process, municipal performance management, the annual budget, key activities and programmes
- Supporting the ward councillor in dispute resolutions and providing information about municipal operations
Monitoring the performance of the municipality and raising issues of concern to the local ward - Helping with community awareness campaigns such as, waste, water and sewage, payment of fees and charges.
The WCMs will serve for a period of five years and are required to attend monthly meetings where they then inform and advise the ward councillor on the needs of the community. The ward committee policy requires each ward to elect 10 members to serving on this structure to assist the ward councillor to execute their mandate. WCMs are given a stipend monthly and assisted with out-of-pocket expenses for cellphone airtime, stationery, etc. Training will also be provided to successful candidates.
The elections of these committees are expected to be held between March 5 and 19.
Follow this link for nominations: https://bit.ly/33TVZrp
For more information, contact pinkyt@joburg.org.za or lijengm@joburg.org.za
