SALGA annual report 2016/17 SALGA ANNUAL REPORT 201617 PRINTED FINAL | Page 84

Performance information Goal 4: Effective, responsive and accountable local government for communities This goal looks at various governance and intergovernmental issues from legislation and policy, to funding and institutional arrangements. It covers issues across all spheres of government and specific issues in relation to the local spheres of government. SALGA also plays a key role in providing hands- on support to municipalities on effective governance, oversight and accountability as well councillor support. The organisation is also responsible for driving the advocacy, lobbying and strategic engagement agenda on behalf of our members in intergovernmental relations (IGR) fora, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), and provincial legislatures. 5. Guidance to municipalities affected by boundary re-determinations. One of the highlights of achievements in this financial year is the support that SALGA provided to municipalities on how to manage the election transition. A number of documents were developed and shared with municipalities to prepare for the transition occasioned by the 2016 local government election. The following materials were developed and distributed to all municipalities: • • • The activities in goal four addressed the following SALGA mandates: • • • • Lobby, advocate and represent; Support and advice; and Knowledge and information sharing. • Highlights of performance • Governance (hands-on support) SALGA provides hands-on support to municipalities in the form of legal advice, and opinions. • • In 2016/17, SALGA governance support focused on: • 1. The policy and regulatory framework for local government; 2. A more equitable remuneration and support framework for municipal councillors and senior managers; 3. strengthening public participation on municipalities and, in particular, collaborating with civil society; 4. Improving oversight accountability and ethics in municipalities; and 84 • • Guidelines for the first council meeting of newly elected municipal council meetings to be held after the 2016 local government election; Guidelines for the appointment of the municipal manager; Guidelines for a report on strategic issues to bring to the attention of the newly elected political office bearers; Standing rules of orders for the meetings of the council and its committees; The relationship between district and local municipalities and reporting mechanisms; Process flow chart support, monitoring and the application of Section 139 of the Constitution as well as Section 105 and 106 of the Municipal Systems Act, 2000; The role of the municipal manager before, during and after the 2016 local government election; Appointment and ToRs for municipal elections officers and other election officers; Continued meetings of the executive/ mayoral committee/council during the election period and the extent of delegations of powers to heads of administration during the transition; Funding of political activities related to the 2016 local government election by municipality; and Guideline document on the roles and responsibilities of political structures, political office bearers and the municipal manager.