10. Muncipal rates and taxes. The Department has also requested additional amounts over the medium term to address the difference between the allocation for increases for leases and rates and taxes and actual increases, which are well above inflation). Given the size of the Department's footprint, above inflation increases have a disproportionately large impact on the Department's operational costs. The Committee supports the request but notes that the Department has asked National Treasury for a 'once off payment window' in which funds from the CAPEX budget can be used to meet the backlog for municipal rates and taxes, which the Committee supports.