Committee Programme 2006

Meeting report

HOUSING PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
9 March 2006
COMMITTEE PROGRAMME 2006

Acting Chairperson: Ms Z Kota (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Housing Portfolio Committee draft programme

SUMMARY
The Committee convened to consider its Committee Programme and Strategic Plan for 2006. The minutes of the previous meeting were adopted without objection. The Strategy Session (or ‘Bosberaad’) would be held in March to determine the Committee’s direction for the year. The planned trip to Cuba was referred to Management for a decision. A decision was made to remove the Prevention of Illegal Eviction Bill in its present form. The Chairperson of Land Affairs would be contacted regarding the dilemma found with the Bill. The Department of Housing would be asked to provide feedback on how the budget for 2005 was spent and what its strategic plan was for 2006. Trips to the North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape would take place in July. The Auditor-General had provided a report that accused some provinces of abusing subsidies; the Committee would take steps regarding the matter. Reports still needed by the Committee, regarding trips paid for by Parliament for members of the Committee, were requested to be handed in. No members of the opposition were present at the meeting.

MINUTES
The Chairperson explained that due to a breakdown of communication, opposition party members had informed the Chairperson that they would not be able to attend. However, it was felt that the meeting should not be postponed. At the next meeting, they would ensure that the business of this meeting continued so that members from the opposition would be able to be in touch with what they have discussed and could provide input.

Ms Z. Kota continued by introducing the new Committee Secretary of Housing, Nombula Mtoto, who was taking over from Ms M Ntuli.

The Committee agreed on the accuracy of the previous meeting’s minutes.

Attention was referred to the draft Committee programme:
- The annual Committee Strategy Workshop had been scheduled for March, but the only available time was in May, unless it was partially held during a weekend in March.

The Chairperson insisted on keeping the other members from the opposition in mind, despite Mr G. Scheemann’s comment that they as the present Committee Members should be able to make decisions that the other absent members must accept. Ms N Ngele noted that absence of members from meetings would hamper the progress of the Committee.

- The Chairperson moved on to the arrangements concerning their trip to Cuba. They had intended to depart in April, however that would not be possible due to the 50^th anniversary of the March to the Union building.

- In May they will discuss the Housing Department's budget and hold hearings on it before the debate on the Housing Budget in the National Assembly on 25 May. This would render and plans to travel to Cuba unrealistic. The Committee agreed that Management should debate the matter.

The Committee gave their consensus to request the department for the removal of the PIE bill. They hoped that a synergy will be reached and that it will be reintroduced at a later stage this year. They recognised the importance of the bill being passed, yet they expressed their concern of its current problematic status. Ms Kota added that she must speak to the Chairperson of Land Affairs to make her aware of the dilemma of the PIE bill.

On 2-12 May is Committee training and Committee Week. It is the same week that they will be dealing with public hearings. They wished for the Department to come before them in two weeks time to speak to them about how they spent the budget in 2005, and what their strategic plan is for 2006 as well as their itemised budget. The Department and Servcon will be asked to appear before the Committee; their mandates will come to an end in March and as such the Committee would appreciate information from the relevant parties. After discussions about the budget and the planned Bosberaad, the Committee’s direction will be determined.
The outstanding trips to North West, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo were shifted to July, since it is the only committee week that is available after the budget vote. They will send members of the Committee to deal with the emergencies of the respective provinces.

The Auditor General provided a report that indicated that some provinces have abused their subsidies. It was decided that the Department should appear before the Committee in order to identify the provinces that show evidence of irregularities concerning subsidies; also, the problems should be identified regarding irregularities. The specific provinces should appear before the Committee as well.

Mr L.J. Modisenyane asked the chairperson whether the Committee Members could be informed when the Auditor-General’s housing report will be tabled at Scopa.

Ms N. Nonkelela pointed out that two reports of the Committee were still not received. The parliament paid for two trips and requested for reports to be submitted: One for Mr D.C. Mabena and colleagues, the other a trip to Morocco for the UN Habitat. The deadline for submission was set for next week.

Meeting was adjourned.