The City of Johannesburg will go to communities with its budget, showing residents how much money is allocated for their neighbourhoods.
The City said this would happen through the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) feedback sessions.
The Speaker of Council, Vasco da Gama, said the City wants to go back to communities to give them the first-hand information on what is contained in the budget.
“We want the councillors to be fully informed regarding how much money each ward is getting from the budget. The process will also ensure that the Mayor and his MMCs are able to go back to communities to account on how much is allocated per ward,” he said.
In May, the council approved its R55,9 billion budget for the 2017/18 financial year. The current budget was informed by the 2017/2018 IDP review, in which the new administration outlined its plans for the next five years in office.
The IDP is known as the social contract between the people and the City. It’s an approach to planning that involves the entire municipality and its citizens in finding the best solutions to achieve good long-term development.
Vasco da Gama said the City hopes, through the feedback sessions, communities will be well-informed, understand the budget in details, see which programmes and projects are budgeted for and what couldn’t be covered in the current budget.
Through these sessions, the goals the City has set for itself and the problems the City faces will also be made clear.
“The City wants to talk to communities regarding issues that are close to their heart, be it the parks, soccer pitches, tennis courts and any issues affecting that particular community.
“We want to consult and work together with communities when implementing this budget, whether they be residents or business stakeholders.”
Da Gama said that ultimately, these sessions aim to get communities fully involved.
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