Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Dowry: Current status of full-time councillors in Western Cape
CURRENT STATUS OF FULL-TIME COUNCILLORS
The following question was answered by Cobus Dowry, Minister of Local Government in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature.
PARLIAMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF THE WESTERN CAPE
TUESDAY, 25 MARCH 2003
QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLY
15. Mr W Schwella to ask Mr Cobus Dowry, Minister of Local Government
Whether municipalities have implemented the system of full time councillors; if so, (a) whether they can afford it and (b) whether these councillors are sufficiently occupied to justify the cost to the taxpayer?
THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT: As far as my knowledge goes all municipalities are in favour of the system of full-time councillors. To date 19 municipalities have requested approval for the appointment of full-time councillors, 14 of which have been approved and the rest are under consideration.
15(a) Affordability: In terms of the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act, 1998, councillors' remuneration must be determined in consultation with me with due regard to the government notice which determines the maximum remuneration limits.
From the applications I have received thus far, it appears that most municipalities can afford the additional costs brought about by full-time councillors. In order to make it affordable some of the councils have postponed the implementation date of their full-time councillors by a month or six weeks. In some instances councils have not appointed the full quota allowed by the Act - the speaker was omitted or only some councillors on the executive committee were appointed.
15(b) Whether full-time councillors are sufficiently occupied to justify the cost to the taxpayer will of course differ from municipality to municipality. The diligence and attitude of the individuals concerned also play a role. In general I am of the opinion that the workload of full-time councillors justifies their increased remuneration because many are already involved with the task in a full-time capacity.
The present dispensation requires greater involvement of councillors in respect of local government matters as compared to the past.
The role to be played by full-time councillors in the Western Cape is not clearly stipulated and a teething phase will still have to be undergone in practice.
Enquiries: Jan Bosman on 083-7755-312, E-mail: jbosman@pawc.wcape.gov.za
Issued by Department of Local Government, Western Cape
13 May 2003
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