Peter Martin, chairperson, Steenberg Community Forum, Steenberg
Every financial year (July 1 - June 30), each ward is allocated R1 million from the public purse to spend primarily on the socio-economic development of the ward. These ward-budget allocations are collected from public taxes and are part and parcel of the public budget.
According to the Local Government Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000, a municipality must encourage and create conditions for the community to participate in the preparation of the budget. This means that the ward community must be consulted and given the opportunity to participate in decisions pertaining to the spending of the R1 million ward budget allocation.
Additionally, a municipality must inform the community about matters for public participation (ward budget allocations), their right and responsibility to participate and the mechanisms available for public participation.
Information regarding participation must be communicated in local community newspapers and radio broadcasts so everyone in the ward has an equal opportunity to be informed and to participate in the spending of ward-budget allocations.
Moreover, all ward budget allocation proposals must be considered during decision-making.
Ward-budget allocations are public money so the public has a right to participate in ward-budget allocations.
Public participation in ward-budget allocations is not only a democratic right but is the essence of a democratic, accountable and transparent local government, as outlined in the constitution.
For more information on local government, contact me on 084 697 8619 or email steenbergcommunityforum@gmail.com.