A Guide for Councillors

Part 4

Municipal planning and budgeting

EVERY YEAR WE COME TO THESE IDP PLANNING MEETINGS AND WHEN WE ASK WHY THINGS ARE NOT HAPPENING, COUNCILLORS SAY IT WAS NOT IN THE BUDGET. ARE WE WASTING OUR TIME!?

THAT ‛ S WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DO NOT DO OUR PLANNING PROPERLY. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE FIT OUR PLANS INTO THE BUDGETING PROCESS.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION FORUM

MY SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM HAS PREPARED EXCELLENT INFORMATION TO HELP COUNCIL WITH THEIR DECISIONS.

THE MULTI-YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPROVAL CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMMES.

THE MFMA PROVIDES US WITH AN OPPORTUNITY AS COUNCILLORS TO APPROVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE CAPITAL PROGRAMME RUNNING BEYOND THE ONE-YEAR BUDGET CYCLE. THIS IS USEFUL AS MANY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMMES RUN LONGER THAN A YEAR.

THE CAPITAL BUDGET SHOWS ME WHERE FUNDING IS COMING FROM AND THE FUTURE IMPACT ON REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE. THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER SAYS WE CAN REALISTICALLY COLLECT THE REVENUE IN THE BUDGET SO WE SHOULD BE COVERED.

THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WILL DELIVER MUCH-NEEDED ROADS AND WATER PIPES IN MY WARD AND WILL PROVIDE SERVICES FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. CAN WE AFFORD TO MAINTAIN THEM PROPERLY?

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The Role of Councillors in Municipal Finance Management