PETITIONS WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES

Issued by: Gauteng Legislature

13 February 1997

GAUTENG LEGISLATURE Office of the Secretary

The Office and Standing Committee on Petitions and Public Participation at the Gauteng Legislature will host a Petitions Workshop with Local Government Authorities tomorrow (Friday 14 February), at the Johannesburg Civic Centre in Braamfontein, from 09h30 to 16h30.

Five different groups will discuss the following matters as a way of creating a better understanding and work approach to the petitions process:

• Mechanisms of co-ordination between local and provincial governments on petitions received.
• Relationship between local and provincial governments with other institutions established to protect the public, such as the Public Protector, Human Rights Commission, etc.
• Discussion of mechanisms for receiving petitions at local government level. In this session, current experiences of Local Government in dealing with public requests suggestions and complaints, will be considered.
• Monitoring petitions received by local government - how to ensure that petitions are responded to effectively and efficiently.
• How to educate or inform the public about their right to petition.

The Speaker of the Legislature, Mr Trevor Fowler, will deliver the opening address from 10h00 to 10h30, and the Chairperson of the Petitions and Public Participation Committee, Mr Vusi Mavuso, will make a presentation afterwards on the petitions process.

Members of the Provincial Legislature and Councillors from all Local Government Authorities in the province, will participate in the groups.

MOEMISE MOTSEPE (Media Liaison Officer)

(Issued by the Communication Department of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature)