STATEMENT OF INTENT

“Building on Back to Basics – Transforming Municipal Spaces for Radical Socio-Economic Development”

7 APRIL 2017

We, the delegates gathered here at the Gallagher Convention Centre from our different areas and organisations.

CKNOWLEDGING the importance of leadership, accountability and reconnecting with communities as key ingredients to achieve radical socio-economic transformation in order to respond and meet the needs, as well as the aspirations, of local communities while accelerating service delivery.

ECOGNISING the achievements made by government over the past 23 years of democracy in providing basic services to the millions of people of South Africa, we must continue to address the current challenges through harmonisation of relations between the three spheres of government, organised local government, traditional leadership, business, organised labour and civil society.

NSPIRED by the leadership and guidance provided by the President of the Republic of South Africa and his Cabinet, recommit ourselves to advance the objects of developmental local government.

WE COMMIT TO:

  1. Provide ethical and committed leadership;
  2. Implement the National Development Plan;
  3. Continue with the implementation of the Back to Basics Programme;
  4. Put people and their concerns first and ensure constant contact with communities through effective public participation platforms;
  5. Improve the political management of municipalities and be responsive to the needs and aspirations of local communities;
  6. Create conditions for decent living by consistently, equitably and efficiently delivering municipal services to the right quality and standard;
  7. Act collaboratively with sectors to address spatial imbalances in economic opportunities and prioritise alignment of spatial development frameworks with integrated development plans;
  8. Expand economic opportunities near where people live and work;
  9. Coordinate infrastructure investments in targeted spaces across spheres, sectors and with stakeholders;
  10. Overcome persistent backlogs and/or inequities in service delivery through improved intergovernmental planning and budgeting processes;
  11. Coordinate infrastructure investments in targeted spaces across spheres, sectors and with stakeholders;
  12. Overcome persistent backlogs and/or inequities in service delivery through improved intergovernmental planning and budgeting processes;
  13. Overcome the widespread under-maintenance and renewal of infrastructure;
  14. Reap the ‘urban dividend’ through well-managed, well-governed urbanisation and the implementation of the Integrated Urban Development Framework;
  15. Recognise rural-urban interdependency and the need for a more comprehensive, integrated approach to urban development;
  16. Ensure good governance and effective administration - cut wastage, spend public funds prudently, hire competent staff, ensure transparency and accountability;
  17. Further ensure that corruption is prevented and rooted out at all levels;
  18. Ensure sound financial management and accounting by prudently managing resources so as to sustainably deliver services and bring development to communities;
  19. Build and maintain sound institutional and administrative capabilities managed by dedicated and skilled personnel at all levels;
  20. Eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens; and
  21. Ensure continued performance monitoring and reporting on the work of municipalities as directed by the Back to Basics approach.

We, the delegates at this Presidential Local Government Summit convened by the Honourable President of South Africa, Mr. Jacob Zuma, Deputy President, constituted of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces; Ministers; Deputy Ministers; Chairperson of Parliamentary Committees; Premiers; Members of the Executive Councils for local government; Mayors; Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leadership; SALGA; Municipal Councils; Traditional Councils; Municipal Managers; Civil Society; Business Sector; Organised Labour; Professional Bodies and the donor community gathered here at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg,

eclare to continue to serve our people through doing everything possible to ensure local government works efficiently, effectively and economically. We commit ourselves to be the servants of the people and trustworthy agents at their service.

We embrace phase 2 of the back to basics approach, we will continue ensure we have functional municipal institutions to enable the transformation of municipal spaces for radical socio-economic transformation, and we will continue to strengthen and support local government in order to move our country forward.