Mayoral Report and Imbizo Annual Report: adoption

Meeting report

HOUSING PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
26 November 2003
MAYORAL REPORT AND IMBIZO ANNUAL REPORT: ADOPTION

Chairperson: Ms Z Kota (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Committee Draft Annual Report
Draft Committee Report on Imbizos in Eastern Cape, 4-7 August 2003

Summary
PMG was unfortunately not able to send in Monitors for the first 15 minutes of this meeting and the minutes reflect their attendance after this point. Thereafter, the Committee discussed the local Housing Summit and the minutes were adopted. A commitment was made to improve the communication between Department officials and the Committee members.

MINUTES
Ms Kota said that it was important to focus on the other priorities of the local Housing Summit. It was noted that when the Minister was invited, she did not respond.

Ms S Mtombela (ANC) felt that it was wrong for the Minister not to attend.

Ms Kota brought up the issue of members not attending the dinner with the Minister after the Committee Secretary had telephoned Members. Apologies regarding this matter would be sent to the Minister.

Mr W M Skhosana (ANC) criticised the Minister for not adequately including the whole Committee in relevant decisions.

The Chairperson cautioned that Committee members should criticise issues rather than individuals. The Department needed to communicate better with the Committee to ensure effective co-operation.

Mr Skhosana continued that when issues were raised, they had to create a platform within the Committee to ensure that these were channelled to the Department. There had to be proper use of the channels of communication, otherwise an individual could be singled out by the Department. The Committee had to stand as a collective. This approach would assist the Committee.

The Chairperson agreed that this was the correct approach. Although the Committee consisted of politicians representing different parties, they were also the interpreters of the Committee. She urged members to freely interact with the Department but to work as a team at all times.

Ms J Semple (DA) said that she had been trying to find a way forward. At a reportback of a housing meeting, she had received an individual response about low-cost housing from the Department.

The Chairperson said that, due to time constraints, the Committee had to prioritise certain key areas of the Department's business to monitor. She proposed that the minutes be adopted and ratified.

Ms Buthelizi-Oliphant (ANC) and Ms Ramakaba - Lesiea (ANC) corrected their attendance reflected in the minutes.

The Chairperson proposed that the minutes were acceptable. Mr M H Steele (DP) moved to adopt them and Mr Skhosana seconded the motion.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.