Govan Mbeki Municipality started with the Integrated Development Program (IDP) consultation process.
The Integrated Development Program (IDP) consultation process is a very important process.
Members of the public should ensure that they attend these meetings and voice their opinions on this important part of the municipal planning process.
Portions of the draft budget will also be discussed at these meetings.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality Facebook page wrote the following:
Govan Mbeki Municipality started its 2021/22 Budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) public consultation meetings. The political leadership and municipal officials are visiting various wards around the municipal area to discuss the proposed budget. Communities are allowed to give input before the final budget is tabled at a Full Council meeting at the end of May.
Integrated Development Planning is an approach to planning that involves the entire municipality and its citizens in finding the best solutions to achieve good long-term development.
An Integrated Development Plan is a super plan for an area that gives an overall framework for development. It aims to co-ordinate the work of local and other spheres of government in a coherent plan to improve the quality of life for all the people living in an area. It should take into account the existing conditions and problems and resources available for development. The plan should look at economic and social development for the area as a whole. It must set a framework for how land should be used, what infrastructure and services are needed and how the environment should be protected
All municipalities have to produce an Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The municipality is responsible for the co-ordination of the IDP and must draw in other stakeholders in the area who can impact on and/or benefit from development in the area.
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Once the IDP is drawn up all municipal planning and projects should happen in terms of the IDP. The annual council budget should be based on the IDP. Other government departments working in the area should take the IDP into account when making their own plans.
It should take 6 to 9 months to develop an IDP. During this period service delivery and development continues.
The IDP is reviewed every year and necessary changes can be made.
The IDP has a lifespan of 5 years that is linked directly to the term of office for local councillors. After every local government elections, the new council has to decide on the future of the IDP. The council can adopt the existing IDP or develop a new IDP that takes into consideration existing plans.
The executive committee or executive mayors of the municipality have to manage the IDP. They may assign this responsibility to the municipal manager.
In most municipalities, an IDP co-ordinator is appointed to oversee the process. The IDP co-ordinator reports directly to the municipal manager and the executive committee or the executive mayor.
The IDP has to be drawn up in consultation with forums and stakeholders. The final IDP document has to be approved by the council.
