Service delivery in many municipalities is failing because communities and stakeholders are not sufficiently involved, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told MPs on Tuesday.

Addressing the National Council of Provinces, he said there were several reasons for integrated development plans (IDPs) – a government tool to foster service delivery – not working properly.

These included insufficient economic, institutional and human capacity; and an inadequate knowledge of government and budgetary processes.

"Our findings... have been that there is a lack of meaningful participation by communities and local stakeholders in the IDP process."

Even in areas where such participation occurred, "it often is merely for compliance, with most indicators already being determined by officials".

Further, a high turnover of key municipal personnel was constraining delivery.

Motlanthe said succeeding with IDPs was essential.

He noted that many municipalities had failed to set up ward committees.

"The primary platform for ensuring streamlined, qualitative stakeholder input into the IDP process is the ward committee.

"In many instances however, local municipalities have failed to set up ward committees. Where they exist, some remain excluded from decision-making processes."

The effectiveness of ward committees was also impeded by low levels of education, skills and expertise; and a lack of access to resources, including computers and internet connections.

"Municipalities therefore need to invest more towards developing capacity for ward committee members, including ward councillors, particularly on their intended roles and responsibilities and provide them with the necessary enabling resources.

"It is clear that there is a need for collective ownership of the development process and strengthened relations between ward committees and independent civil society formations in the promotion of meaningful engagements between local government and community members.

"Much attention needs to be given to establishing strengthened communication strategies that will enhance effective communication between municipalities and communities."

He called on parliamentarians, who had greater access to resources and information, to provide support at a municipal level to ensure that ward committees functioned properly.