DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

BERGRIVIER MUNICIPALITY

REGIONAL MONITORING TEAMS

MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE REPORTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction and Purpose ...... 2 2. Departmental Diagnostic Report ...... 2 2.1 Municipal Governance ...... 2 2.2 Public Participation ...... 3 2.3 Municipal Communications ...... 4 2.4 Municipal Support ...... 5 2.5 Specialised Support...... 6 2.6 Integrated Development Planning ...... 6 2.7 Municipal Infrastructure ...... 7 2.8 District & Local Performance Monitoring ...... 14 2.9 Service Delivery Integration ...... 15 2.10 Community Development Workers...... 17 2.11 Disaster Management Risk Reduction...... Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.12 Disaster Management Disaster Operations ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. 2.13 Disaster Management Fire Services ...... 18

1. Introduction and Purpose The key objective of this report is to maintain a central source of information centred on the municipalities’ operations across directorates and to make that information readily accessible on an on-going basis.

In addition it should be used as a tool to encourage, facilitate and structure interactions between Directorates on qualitative issues that are related to the municipality.

2. Departmental Diagnostic Report This section contains the review of the overall municipal governance performance of the Municipality from the Department of Local Governments perspective. Each directorate has provided context to their identified indicators followed by findings and appropriate support or recommendations.

2.1 Municipal Governance

Analysis of Indicators

The political composition of the Municipal Council is distributed as follows: ANC – 5, DA – 7 and COPE – 1. The majority of seats are being held by one political party and therefore the Municipality is politically stable. There were no vacancies within the composition of the Council during the period April to June 2012.

The Municipality had four (4) Council meetings held for the quarter under review which is in line with the requirement of at least one Council meeting per quarter. The Municipality has a system of Delegations in place and a Roles and Responsibilities document with the delegations having been reviewed on 21 June 2012. No councillors were fined for non- attendance or failing to remain in attendance at council meetings.

Municipalities were asked whether all councillors completed a declaration of interest because even-though it needs to be completed within 60 days of assuming the position there were councillors in the that were yet to complete the form. The Municipality indicated that all councillors submitted the declaration of interest form. No councillors at the Municipality are in arrears with rates and service charges for longer than three months and no breaches of the Code of Conduct occurred during this period. No allegations of fraud and corruption were reported to the SAPS during the period under review.

The Municipality reported two (2) litigation matters for the period under review both in relation to contravention of zoning regulations. These 2 cases could indicate that the municipality is doing well on the enforcement of by-laws. There was also litigation relating to property rates, which is discussed further below.

Key Challenges / Additional Information

The Municipality faces two ongoing challenges. The first is the property rates matter that will be heard in the SCA during the next quarter which has important financial and legal implications for the Municipality. The second is the service delivery / legal relationship with Moravian communities.

Support Initiatives

The Department is monitoring the property rates matter and is preparing a strategy that will assist not only the Municipality but also other municipalities. In respect of the Moravian communities the Department will assist with the legal issues during the following quarter.

2.2 Public Participation

Performance Management

In the Bergrivier Municipality, public participation is a key performance area of the municipality and is included in the performance agreement of the Municipal Manager. The municipality does not have a dedicated public participation official responsible for ward committees and public participation.

Ward Committee Budget and Expenditure

The municipality reported that they have not budgeted for public participation from their own revenue. The municipality received an amount of R70 000 from the MSIG and to date has spent R68 937 to support ward committees and public participation.

Status of Ward Committee and Public Participation Policies

It was reported that the Public Participation Policy has been drafted and distributed for public comment. The Ward Committee and Out-of-Pocket Expenses Policy was adopted in September 2011. The Ward Committee and Out-of-Pocket Expenses Policy is being implemented. It was reported that R200 is paid per ward committee member per month.

Ward Committee Functionality

The municipality reported that all seven ward committees are functional in line with the provincial ward committee functionality indicators.

The municipality reported that ward committee meetings take place quarterly and in total, seven ward committee meetings were held. Administrative support is offered to the ward committees, agendas are compiled and minutes are recorded at ward committee meetings by officials. Minutes are available from the strategic services unit.

The municipality reported that the Accountability and Communication Model is being implemented and that concerns are tabled and feedback is given to community members and community report back meetings were held in some of the wards.

Key Challenges/Additional relevant information

It was reported that a lack of interest and accountability of ward committee members is a challenge to ward committee functionality.

Recommendations It is recommended that the municipality review its Ward Committee and Out-of-Pocket Expenses Policy to align with the DORA special grant paid to this municipality from 1 July 2012. In the light of this, it is furthermore recommended that the municipality increase the amount paid to ward committees per month, increase the frequency of ward committee meetings and develop ward operational plans.

Support initiatives provided to municipality

No support provided to the municipality

2.3 Municipal Communications

Indicators

Bergrivier Municipality does not have a dedicated communications unit or official. At present, the Strategic Manager and the Head of Local Economic Development share the communication responsibilities.

The Municipality has a communication policy that was adopted in September 2010 and is in the process of developing a Communication Strategy. At present, the Municipality does not have a Language Policy.

Bergrivier Municipality has a budget of R166 000 limited to advertisements. The Municipality has complied with the submission of the Municipal Communication Reporting Template and participates in the District IDP/LED Forum.

Key challenges / Additional information

The Municipality is in the process of conducting an internal survey to better inform the Communication Strategy.

Support

The Department provided the Municipality with guidelines to assist with the development of the Communication Strategy and Action Plans.

Way forward / Recommendations

• With the support of Department of Local Government (DLG), finalise the Communication Strategy for adoption. • Develop a Language Policy with the support of DLG and the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB). • Appropriate training to be provided to the official(s) responsible for the communications portfolio in collaboration with the Department of Local Government.

2.4 Municipal Support

Organisational Design

The appointed Municipal Manager, Ms Christa Liebenberg, has an Employment contract which is effective from 1 October 2008 until 30 April 2013. The Municipality has six (6) approved Section 57 posts, including the post of Municipal Manager, of which all six (6) are filled. The post of Director: Technical Services, Director: Administrative Services and Manager: Strategic Services have recently been filled. The Municipality has submitted five (5) Employment Contracts and one of Manager: Strategic Services is still outstanding, which is required in terms of the Local Government: Performance Management Regulations. The Department has written to the Municipality requesting the submission of the outstanding Performance Contracts and Agreements.

The Department of Local Government is currently assisting the Municipality with a non- revenue water project in order to identify the number of water meters that fall outside the billing continuum, the CFO is the champion of the project within the Municipality. The Department also assisted the Municipality for the appointment of Director: Administrative Services and Director: Technical Services through the “Pool of Expertise” programme.

Performance Management System

The Municipality has implemented a Performance Management System which was approved and adopted by Council on 05 March 2007. The Municipality has a functional electronic Performance Management System in place and they are using the Service Delivery Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP) as the basis for agreements for their middle management.

Valuation Appeals Board

The Municipality has a functional Valuation Appeal Board established in terms of Section 56 of the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act 6 of 2004. The term of office of members of the Valuation Appeal Board is four years from 1 June 2009 until 31 May 2013.

Training

In terms of the Skills Development Act of 1998 and SETA’s grant regulations regarding monies received by a SETA and related matters, dated 18 July 2005, the municipality must submit a Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) on or before 30 June each year. The municipality has complied with this requirement and confirmation was received from LGSETA.

Key Findings

None.

Recommendations The Municipality to submit the newly appointed Section 57 managers’ Performance Agreements to the Department as required by the Performance Management System Regulations.

2.5 Specialised Support In August 2011 the Cape High Court ruled on the validity of municipal property rates levied in rural areas by the Bergrivier Municipality. Property rates in respect of eight financial years (2001/02 to 2008/09) were disputed and the Court ruled against the municipality in five of these eight years. The ruling has grave financial implications for the municipality in terms of loss of income and the municipality has decided to take the matter on appeal. Discussions were held on a without prejudice basis with both the Applicants and the Respondents upon receiving a request for mediation. The matter was thoroughly interrogated from a provincial oversight perspective and recommendation made that the Provincial Minister be joined as a party to the Supreme Court of Appeal proceedings in an effort to obtain an appropriate remedy with due regard to securing the income of the municipality.

The Municipal Finance Management Act, 56 of 2003, prescribes that an annual financial statement must be submitted by 30 August for audit purposes (section 126[1]). The reason for inability to timeously produce AFS was the implementation of GRAP 17 (balancing of FAR, infrastructure assets).

2.6 Integrated Development Planning In order to create an enabling environment for the economy of Bergrivier to develop/grow, the Municipality has identified making its finances viable and sustainable as one of its priorities.

Linked to the above, the Municipality intends to improve how it governs by developing strategies that will enable it to effectively manage the institution and render quality services to its citizens, while ensuring that it remains accountable to the citizens.

To respond to challenges of sustainability, the Municipality intends to develop strategies to conserve and manage the natural environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Even though it states in its IDP that social development issues are not part of its mandate, the Municipality acknowledges the importance of a local response to social issues. It commits itself to partner with other spheres of government and NGOs to promote the wellbeing and development of its citizens.

Key Challenges/Additional relevant information The Municipality, in its IDP identifies key developmental challenges related to the following: • Ensuring that Municipal finances are viable and sustainable • Provision of bulk infrastructure to meet current and future needs • Ensuring that there’s good governance, access to services, accountability, and building a capacitated work force • Protection of the built and natural environment • Improving safety and security • Social development of citizens

Support initiatives provided to municipalities The municipality has been included in the Department’s second phase of the Neighbourhood Development Plan Programme and to this end, the municipality will be supported to develop a neighbourhood development plan for one of its poorest wards.

During the month of April, the Integrated Development Planning Directorate did a comprehensive analysis on the draft Integrated Development Plan of the municipality. The findings and recommendations of the analysis were discussed at an individual one-on-one engagement with officials of the municipality. This process enabled the municipality to make amendments where necessary and in this way the municipal IDP process was enriched prior to the final approval of the municipality’s IDP.

In addition, the Directorate hosted a quarterly Provincial IDP Managers Forum on 8 June 2012 that serves as a capacity building platform and sharing of best practice around Integrated Development Planning.

2.7 Municipal Infrastructure MIG Projects and Expenditure

The following table indicates the projects that were implemented during the 2011/2012 financial year up to 30 June 2012. Actual MIG Allocation expenditure % Complete Project Name for 2011/12 FY during 2011/12 (construction) financial year : Rehabilitate WWTW: Phase R 2,308,216 R 2,308,216 100 1 (ID 180477) Piketberg: Rehabilitate WWTW: Phase R 7,418,784 R 7,418,784 98 2 (ID 195827) Totals R 9,727,000 R 9,727,000

At the end of June the Berg River Municipality reached 100% of the Total MIG expenditure. • Piketberg Waste Water Treatment Works Phase One was completed at the end of July 2011. • Piketberg Waste Water Treatment Works Phase Two is in its final construction stage. Practical completion inspection took place on 21 June 2012.

The Berg River Municipality’s MIG funding is fully committed for the next financial year. The following Projects will be implemented: • MIG ID 121785: Upgrading of Sewage Purification Works o MIG allocation for 2012/13: R5,588,584 • MIG ID 203892: Upgrading of Velddrif Waste Water Treatment Works to 2ML/day o MIG allocation for 2012/13: R6,238,416 and R12,477,000 for the following year

Key Findings

The Berg River Municipality has reached 100% of MIG expenditure of R 9,727,000 for the 2011/12 financial year.

Recommendations

No recommendation

Support by the Department of Local Government

The Directorate of Municipal Infrastructure was involved with the MIG projects from registration and conducted site visits and municipal engagements to monitor progress and provide support. The Directorate of Municipal Infrastructure also hosted monthly MIG provincial monitoring meetings to monitor progress on the MIG implementation at the Municipality. These meetings provide a key forum where municipalities account on their MIG progress and where sector departments like the Department of Water Affairs; Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning; Department of Human Settlements and Department of Cooperative Governance is present to support municipalities to resolve problematic issues.

Water and Wastewater Management

Blue Drop

(Source: Blue Drop report: 2012) The Berg River Municipality achieved a Blue Drop Score of 90.60% which places the municipality in 12 th place in the Western Cape. The municipality demonstrates a consistent improvement in performance over the past three years. The municipal Blue Drop Score increased from 62.70% in 2010 and 85.20% in 2011.

Two out of six water treatment works, Porterville and Velddrif, received Blue Drop status. The table below presents Blue Drop scores, service provider, design capacity, operational capacity and drinking water quality ( DWQ ) compliance for all six water treatment plants in the municipal area:

Blue System Operational DWQ Drop Design Capacity Name of Plant Service Provider Compliance Score Capacity (% ito (%) % (Ml/d) design) West Coast DM Aurora 90.98 0.22 59.09 91 & Berg River LM West Coast DM 90.16 0.2 104 98 & Berg River LM West Coast DM Piketberg 87.52 2.3 103 91 & Berg River LM West Coast & Porterville 95.00 3.91 58.06 98 Berg River LM West Coast & Redelinghuys 73.34 0.3 50.6 53 Berg River LM Velddrif West Coast & Not 97.57 N/A 100 Berg River LM available

Key Findings

The study states that all water treatment plants improved their performance during the assessment period and Blue Drop score has increased significantly since last assessment. It must be noted that the Eendekuil and Piketberg plants are operating slightly above their design capacity while maintaining high Blue Drop score.

Although the Redelinghuys plant operates at 50.6% of its design capacity, the DWQ compliance is significantly low in comparison to other plants in the municipal area.

Recommendations

Although the municipality achieved a good overall Blue Drop score with two plants achieving Blue Drop status and progressive improvement could lead to more certification, the operation of the Redelinghuys Plant is a concern. It is recommended that the municipality conducts an audit on plant operations to establish what intervention is required.

A plan of action, based on the outcome of the audit on how to improve Blue Drop and DWQ compliance scores should be developed and implemented as a matter of urgency.

Green Drop

(Source: Green Drop assessment: 2011) The Berg River Municipality achieved a Green Drop Score of 72.1%, which is considered average performance with ample room for improvement. It must be however noted that the municipality performed very well during this Green Drop assessment round, and remarkable improvement on the 2009 performance has been registered. his score places the municipality in 11 th place in the Western Cape.

The table below presents Green Drop scores, design capacity, operational capacity and wastewater quality compliance for all five wastewater treatment plants in the municipal area:

Wastewater Design Operational Green Drop Quality Name of WWTW Capacity Capacity (% Score (%) Compliance (Ml/d) i.t.o. capacity) (%) Porterville 81.5 1.2 66.7 73 Piketberg 73.3 1.85 105.9 57 Velddrif 58.4 0.971 57.9 5 Eendekuil 38 0.138 58 45 73.8 0.3 38.8 73

Key findings

In general wastewater quality compliance is not ideal, but apart from two plants (Velddrif and Eendekuil), it could be seen as acceptable and moving in the right direction and maintaining the progress made thus far. Other positives would be the fact that all but one (Piketberg) of the five systems are classified in the lower risk category (% i.t.o. Maximum Risk Rating). The Green Drop assessment also indicates that the Piketberg plant is running above capacity, but since then this plant underwent upgrading.

Compliance figures for Velddrif are far from acceptable. It is however noted that this plant is scheduled for upgrading in 2012/13.

The municipality is encouraged to ensure that the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) receives regular submissions on effluent quality compliance figures.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the municipality implement an adequate monitoring programme as well as improvements in asset management.

It is further recommended that the municipality supplies DWA with data on effluent quality on a regular basis and this data is available on the Green Drop System.

Technical Institutional Leadership

The composition of the Technical Department at the municipality is as follows: Filled Post Qualifications Comments / Experience (Y or N) Head of Department / Y B Admin Degree National Project Management Technical Director Civil (NQF 7) Water Services Y National Higher Diploma In Civil Engineering Sanitation Services Y National Higher Diploma In Civil Engineering Roads and Storm water Y National Higher Diploma In Civil Engineering Solid Waste Y National Higher Diploma In Civil Engineering Electrical Services Y NTSS Diploma – Electrician Trade Certificate and Installation Certificate - Electrician PMU Manager Y B-Tech Civil WWTWs No Info available Supervisor Operators WTWs No Info available Supervisor Operators

Key Findings

A technical Director was recently appointed. A PMU Manager is in place and a MISA deployee to assist in the technical department has been deployed.

Qualifications of the appointed technical personnel seem to be satisfactory. The municipality did not provide any information regarding WWTW and WTW personnel. However taking into consideration the Blue and Green Drop scores achieved by the Municipality these plants (except Velddrif and Eendekuil WWTW) are fairly well operated.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the municipality investigates operations at WWTW plants as well provides the Department with information regarding qualification of the appointed staff in order to do a full assessment.

Level of Capital Expenditure

(Source: Provincial Treasury: Table C5 – Quarterly Budget Statement)

Under Original Adjustment (%) Variance Expenditure Budget Budget (up to June (up to June (R’000) (R’000) 2012) 2012) Total Budget 36 266 40 900 7 832 (19.15) Trading Services (Total) 25 379 27 041 2 872 (10.62) Electricity 753 3 953 2 083 (52.69) Waste Water 12 750 12 250 2 938 (23.98) Management Waste Management 2 446 3 009 820 (27.24)

Key Findings

According to the above table the total capital budget of R 36 266 000 was adjusted by R4,634,000 to a new amount of R 40 900 000. The bulk of the capital budget in the amount of R 25 379 000 was allocated towards the Trading Services. Up to June 2012 a capital under expenditure of R7,832 million (19.15) incurred.

Recommendations

The reasons for under expenditure should be investigated and addressed.

Repairs and Maintenance

(Source: NT info on Municipal Annual Budgets – Schedule SA 34c, Municipal Budget 2012/2013 – Executive Summary)

According to the Executive Summary by Director of Financial Services for the 2012/13 financial year (Berg River Municipality) and the NT info on Municipal Annual Budgets (Schedule SA 34c) the Operations and Maintenance budget is as follows:

Description 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Total Operating Budget R165,082,000 R172,139,000 R194,735,000 (R) Repairs and R 8,462,000 R4,548,000 R5,358,000 R5,554,000 Maintenance(R) (total) % of total Operating 5.7% 2.8% 3.1% 2.9% Expenditure (budget) Repairs and Maintenance R 5,075,000 R 861,000 R 871,000 R 891,000 (Infrastructure only)

Key Findings

The table above indicates that there is a drastic reduction in budget allocation towards Operation and Maintenance for infrastructure (in comparison with 2009/10 FY) as a percentage of operating expenditure, which is alarming as the municipality is not adequately maintaining its municipal assets.

According to financial statement the total cost value of PPE and infrastructure assets amount to R256,294,407 and R163,563,146 respectively (end June 2011). The actual repairs and maintenance expense for 2010/11 was R3,450 million which reduced with 55% from R7,588 million during 2009/10. The 2010/11 Repairs and maintenance expense equates to 1.3% of the PPE cost and is below the guideline value of 2%.

The insufficient and declining repairs and maintenance expense is concerning.

Recommendation

Municipality should allocate more funding on their annual budget towards the maintenance of infrastructure in order to preserve and extend life span of their assets as far as possible.

Unaccounted for water

(Source: Bulk Infrastructure Master Plan [Water and Wastewater] for the Western Cape – Consolidated report dated August 2011; DWA info: Summary of System Input Volume and NRW – Western Cape Municipalities April 2012)

Non-revenue water (NRW) includes both UAW and unbilled authorised consumption. Although NRW is an important measurement in managing water, technical engineering solutions can only be applied to UAW. Generally accepted levels of NRW are between 10- 15%, therefore one would expect UAW levels to be below this. Table below presents Non- revenue water and terminology.

"IWA Best Practice" Water Balance and Terminology Billed Metered Consumption Billed Authorized (including water exported) Revenue Consumption Water Billed Non-metered Consumption Authorized Consumption Unbilled Metered Consumption Unbilled Authorized Consumption System Unbilled Non-metered Consumption Input Unauthorized Consumption Volume Apparent Losses Non Metering Inaccuracies Revenue Leakage on Transmission and/or Water Distribution Mains Water Losses Leakage and Overflows at Utility's Real Losses Storage Tanks Leakage on Service Connections up to Customers' Meters

The average non-revenue water in the Berg River municipal area decreased from 17,7% in 2008 to 15,7% in 2009 and 11% in April 2012. However, even with this reduction there still remain opportunities for improved WDM. Towns of particular concern are noted in table below:

Town NRW (2009) Ml/annum Dwarskersbos/Velddrif 28.8% 16,857 Piketberg 22% 191,325 Farmlands 22.7% 40,308

Key findings

Levels of non-revenue water (NRW) and unaccounted for water (UAW) remain high in many of towns across Western Cape.

Non-revenue water index in the Bergrivier municipal area decreased since 2008 to the acceptable level of 11%.

Recommendation

It is recommended that improved demand management and water conservation must remain a high priority for the municipality.

Project Finance

(Source: Bulk Infrastructure Master Plan [Water and Wastewater] for the Western Cape – Consolidated report dated August 2011) The budget for the Berg River municipality amounts to R 301.8 million of which R174.0 million is associated with priority projects. The following projects were identified in the study:

Implementa Hard Water / District Project description Town Budget tion vs soft Sanitation rating readiness New WWTW H Velddrif Sanitation 27,043,828 H M WWTW 3Ml H Piketberg Sanitation 58,572,254 M M Upgrade of Oxidation Ponds H Aurora/ Sanitation 22,082,229 L - Municipality-wide: Reduction of stormwater ingress & Additional groundwater infiltration incl. flow measurement, loggers S Minicipality-wide Sanitation 3,000,000 H project & telemetry Raw Water Dam/Main Feeder H Porterville Water 5,674,464 HM WTW and Raw Water Pipeline H Piketberg Water 35,698,683 M- Additional Pumps + 13Ml Reservoir H Velddrif Water 17,482,457 L - Municipality-wide: Water demand management interventions in all towns, incl. zone meters, telemetry, Additional S Minicipality-wide Water 3,000,000 H pressure management, leak detection, community project education, tariffs, reuse of waste water etc. Municipality-wide: Water resource investigation incl. Additional S Minicipality-wide Water 1,500,000 H agreements, licences & permits project Total R 174,053,915

It must be noted that Bergrivier is currently busy with the Upgrading of the Piketberg WWTW project and Velddrif WWTW project is scheduled for implementation in early 2013.

2.8 District & Local Performance Monitoring

Total number of: Households Indigent Households 8 551 1 983 Total number of households with access to each basic service: Water Electricity Sanitation Refuse Removal 8 202 8 551 6 199 8 285 Total number of households receiving each Free Basic Service: FBS Water FBS Electricity FBS Sanitation FBS Refuse Removal 1 983 1 983 1 140 1 983 General Comments for clarification or additional information such as additional services

All households receive 6kl of water and 50kwh of electricity free per month

Bergriver Municipality renders both basic and free basic services. The municipality has a total number of 8 551 households of which; 8 202 households have access to basic water; 8 551 households have access to basic electricity, 6 199 households have access to basic sanitation and 8 285 households have access to basic refuse removal.

This municipality has an Indigent Policy and Indigent Register. The register lists 1 983 indigent households; 1 983 households have access to free basic water and free basic electricity and free basic refuse removal. All households receive the first 6 kilolitres of water and 50KwH of electricity. 1 140 households have access to free basic sanitation.

2.9 Service Delivery Integration

The Thusong Plan for Bergrivier Municipality as indicated by the Thusong Accessibility Analysis Study is as follows:

Bergrivier Thusong Plan

Bergrivier Thusong Plan Beneficiaries to be reached Town Thusong Service within 25 km

Piketberg Proposed Centre 17 960

Porterville Mobile 10 480

Redelinghuys Extension 1 329

Dwarskerbos Mobile 10 958

Aurora Mobile 2 188

Eendekuil Town within 25km from the Thusong Service Centre

Velddrif Town within 25km from the Thusong Zone

However, based on available resources between the three (3) spheres of government the Thusong Implementation Plan for 2012/2013 is illustrated in Table below:

Bergrivier Thusong Implementation Plan for 2012/2013

Town Thusong Service Date

Piketberg Proposed Centre 2013/ 14 Mobile 07-08 June 2012

Porterville Mobile Towns not serviced during Redelinghuys Extension 2012/2013

Dwarskerbos Mobile

Eendekuil Centre All year round

Velddrif Vredenburg Zone

A Thusong Service Centre is planned to be established in Piketberg during 2012/2013. The Local Municipality will appoint a dedicated Thusong Service Centre Manager who will be responsible for the Thusong Programme broadly. One (1) of the four (4) anchor departments namely, SASSA committed to render services on a permanent basis at the proposed New Thusong Service Centre in Piketberg. The Dept. of Social Development has an office within the Piketberg area. The other two (2) anchor departments namely, the Dept. of Home Affairs and the Dept. of Labour have not committed to occupy office space within the proposed centre thus far.

The Thusong Service Centre is included in the Municipal Integrated Development Plan (IDP), however the centre should also be included in the municipal annual budget. A key recommendation is that that municipality budgets for the Thusong Programme holistically, including the outreach components (i.e. Thusong Mobiles and Thusong Extensions). It is critical that the municipality plans and budgets accordingly to ensure that 100% of the municipal population has access to the Thusong Services. In terms of the funding criteria the municipality has to submit a Thusong Service Centre Business Plan (reflecting appropriate location, infrastructural models, SLA’s from service providers and the proposed funding / costing model).

The Dept. of Local Government recommends that Bergrivier Municipality submits a Business Plan to indicate the funding model to establish a New Thusong Service Centre in Piketberg.

Thusong Mobiles

A Thusong Mobile was held in Piketberg on 7 and 8 June 2012. The Piketberg Municipality did not attend either of the two task team meetings (25th May 2012 and on 31st May 2012) that preceded the mobile. The Project team confirmed planning arrangements with regards to the hall, chairs and tables telephonically with the Municipality. The CDWs represented the Municipality to some extent. The Piketberg Thusong Mobile serviced 832 people over the two days. The municipality made the Allan Boesak Community Hall available with chairs and tables at no cost (including chairs and tables)and made available a caretaker employed by them, to clean and keep the yard tidy during the event. Together with the CDWs the municipality provided logistical support i.e. a photocopier machine, camera for ID photos and printer for ID photos.

Challenges were experienced in securing municipal representatives at the mobile with regards to services to be rendered by them (i.e. indigent grants and housing). During the first day of the mobile the CDWs assisted in taking down enquiries from the public as there was no representative of the municipality present. A representative did attend the second day of the mobile after high level intervention.

The support of the CDWs contributed to the success of the day as their support to the project team was excellent.

2.10 Community Development Workers

The total number of CDW’s deployed in Bergrivier is 3. All CDW’s are accommodated in municipal premises. Offices are fully resourced. The Municipality is in process of compiling an operational expenditure report for the funding transferred in 2011/2012. Funding transferred in 2011/2012 was fully spent. At this point in time, the Municipality and the Regional Coordinator are busy compiling the Expenditure Projections with regards to the 2012/2013 Operational Grant. The Operational Expenditure Report 2011/2012, as well as the Expenditure Projections 2012/2013, will be submitted to the Provincial Office during the 2nd Quarter of 2012/2013.

In terms of the Socio-Economic Projects supported, Community Development Workers provided administrative assistance to 8 backyard foodgardens in Redelinghuys. 5 Information sessions were conducted through the Know Your CDW Campaign in Porterville and Redelinghuys, and 168 case referrals were reported on.

Challenges

Throughout the West Coast, there is joint planning between CDWs and municipal officials. The challenge is that municipalities are not adhering to agreed plans and programmes, and as a result CDW reports reflect minimal assistance to municipal programmes.

Recommendations

It is recommended that CDWP Regional Management needs to strengthen joint planning with municipalities in the Region. Reports need to reflect more assistance made by Community Developement Workers in programmes of the municipality.

2.13 Disaster Management Fire Services

The Bergriver Local Municipality does not have a designated Fire Service. Certain of the functions are performed by the West Coast District Municipality although no formal agreement exists.