SALGA annual report 2016/17 SALGA ANNUAL REPORT 201617 PRINTED FINAL | Page 191

South African Local Government Association Schedule 3A public entity i.t.o. the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 and recognised i.t.o. the Organised Local Government Act, 1997 Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2017 Accounting Policies 1.22 Related parties SALGA operates in an economic sector currently dominated by entities directly or indirectly owned by the South African Government. As a consequence of the constitutional independence of the three spheres of government in South Africa, only entities within the national sphere of government in respect of the Executive Authority (CoGTA) and members of the NEC and their respective municipalities belonging from the local sphere of government are considered to be related parties. Management are those persons responsible for planning, directing and controlling the activities of SALGA, including those charged with the governance of SALGA in accordance with legislation and SALGA constitution. Close members of the family of a person are considered to be those family members who may be expected to influence, or be influenced by, that management in their dealings with the entity. A related party is considered to be related if one party has the ability to control the other party or jointly control or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions or if the related party and the other entity are subject to common control. Specific information with regards to related party transactions is included in the disclosure notes. Identification of related parties Controlling entities related party identification All municipalities are represented at SALGA through direct membership to SALGA, furthermore representation in SALGA structures is carried by the elected provincial representative at a Provincial Conference as well at National Conference. structures. A single municipality would not have control or significant influence over the running the affairs or determining the policies of SALGA. The control and significant influence over SALGA’s policies and finances is jointly held by all the 257 municipalities. In terms of SALGA’s constitution all the municipalities are members and would have equal rights over the residual assets of the organisation upon dissolution. The ten directly elected members at National Conference and the nine ex-officio members elected by the respective Provincial Conferences are related parties of SALGA by virtue of being part of the National Executive as well as the Chief Executive who is also an ex-officio member of the NEC due to his role. The NEC has an option to co-opt up to three members, who once co-opted become related parties by virtue of being part of the NEC of SALGA. SALGA does not have a sister entity that is subjected to common control by the National Conference or jointly by the 257 municipalities in South Africa. Significant influence entities related parties identification Legislatively SALGA reports to the Department of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA). SALGA reports on a quarterly to the Minister of CoGTA in terms of the PFMA and its regulations. CoGTA has significant influence over SALGA’s activities by virtue of its role as the designated Executive Authority in terms of the PFMA. The department is tasked with the function of developing national policies and legislation with regard to provinces and local government. CoGTA’s role has a direct impact or significant influence over the decisions of SALGA’s policies and finance decisions. Although disclosed as a related party transaction, the fees paid by CoGTA to SALGA are part of normal funding that government grants to its entities. The National Conference elects re