Issued by: Office of the Premier
17 April 2001
The Gauteng Intergovernmental Forum met today (Tuesday 17 April 2001) at the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council chambers in Braamfontein. The meeting, the first since the December 2000 local government elections, was attended by Premier Mbhazima Shilowa and MECs, chairpersons of standing committees in the provincial legislature, heads of provincial government departments, mayors and managers of all municipal structures in the province.
The meeting discussed a range of issues relating to co-operation between provincial and local government, including service delivery, the implementation of the policy on the provision of a minimum of free basic services, accurate billing systems and credit control and the institutional capacity of municipalities.
Important progress by all municipalities in these areas was noted. The provincial government pledged to continue to work closely with municipalities on these and other issues to fulfill their obligations and mandate.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to co-operation made by the Premier and mayors of the metropolitan councils and district councils to ensure more efficient and effective delivery of services to communities.
With regards the institutional capacity of municipalities, MEC for Development Planning and Local Government, Trevor Fowler, presented a provincial government proposal to establish a Municipal Institutional Support Centre. The MISC will be a pioneering vehicle that will provide support to municipalities in the execution of their duties, including in areas such as administrative, management and financial management capacity.
The meeting accepted the proposal to establish the MISC. MEC Trevor Fowler will announce further details in due course.
For further information contact Thabo Masebe at 082 410 8087
Issued by
Office of the Premier
Gauteng Provincial Government