PC Correctional Services: Committee First Term Programme & Budget

Meeting report

First Term Committee Programme
The Chairperson went through the Committee’s first term programme. The document highlighted the Committee’s planned activities.

Members were satisfied with the document and approved it with no changes.

Letter to Committee
The Chairperson stated that he had received a letter informing him that since the Committee had only spent only 44% of its budget, R 200 000 would be taken away, leaving the Committee with a budget of R 300 000 until the end of the financial year.

The Chairperson further noted that the authority which took away the budget was the same that said the Committee could not spend it.

A Member insisted that the Committee reply to the letter.

The Chairperson responded that the funds had already been depleted but it could be recouped if requested. He said that if Members wanted to submit a paragraph, he would compile these into a single letter and reply back.

Various Members simultaneously expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of communication, stating that the Committee never knew it had the money which was taken away and that it was told not to spend money.

The Chairperson responded that everyone who wished to respond should write a letter, give it to him, then he would submit the complaints.

Mr S Abram (ANC) said that the Committee must know what was happening with tax payers’ money. There must be a system in place to know where money was being spent and how much. One person person should not be making all the final decisions

The Chairperson stated that Portfolio Committee secretaries were asked if committees were using all their monies and that was why money had been taken away. He suggested responding to this issue via email.

Outstanding Committee Minutes
Minutes dated 23 October 2013
The Chairperson tabled the document for consideration.

The Committee members had minor grammatical and technical enquiries.
The document was adopted
 
Minutes dated 5 November 2013
The Chairperson tabled the document for consideration.
The Committee members had minor grammatical and technical inquiries.

Minutes dated 6 November 2013
The Chairperson tabled the document for consideration.

Miscellaneous Issues
The Chairperson mentioned how two inmates wanted to get married, revisited the letter/budget issue, and then adjourned the meeting.