By Tabisa Mntengwana
02 March 2010

A FOLLOW up session on the City’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget plans for the next financial year is on the cards.

Councillors, City directors and officials met on 25 February to discuss and evaluate the progress achieved so far in preparing the IDP and budget for year 2010/11. At that meeting, City priorities were discussed and plans explained.

It is to be followed by the IDP and Budget External Stakeholders Forum on Thursday, 4 March at the East London City Hall from 8.30am.

The forum will give the municipality the opportunity to engage with external stakeholders, including business, organised labour, government departments, traditional leaders, non-governmental organisations and faith-based organisations on its plans and priorities.

According to the manager for the IDP and budget, Simpiwe Seti, the forum will also be attended by Buffalo City officials, councillors and directors. “The main purpose of this meeting is to share with external stakeholders the progress achieved at this stage in terms of reviewing the IDP and budget towards the financial year 2010/11.”

Various aspects of the municipality will be discussed, he says, including the draft budget allocations for 2010/11 and the Medium Term Expenditure Revenue Framework to 2012/13.

“The forum will also hear an update on the institution’s progress with regard to metro status readiness and the municipal turnaround strategy.”

Also expected to be debated are the objectives and strategies for each municipal cluster for the year 2010/11. “Each cluster will present a preliminary project list which will form the basis for the budget of the next financial year,” Seti explains.

At last week’s internal workshop, officials made presentations on the municipality’s highlights, which included the objectives, strategies and proposed projects for the financial year 2010/11. The acting municipal manager, Vusumuzi Mavuso, gave a presentation on the metro status readiness of the City.

Mavuso spoke about key considerations in determining a municipal boundary, among other things.

He also advised Buffalo City to start considering the need to co-ordinate municipal, provincial and national programmes and services, including the needs for administration of justice and health care.