Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, as the Chairperson of the Rules Committee of the Council, presents the First Report of the Rules Committee of the National Council of Provinces, dated 27 October 2005, as follows:

To amend rule 9 by deletion of the words in bold brackets and insertion of the words underlined

Election of other presiding officers

(1) The Council may elect from among its members a [Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of Committees] House Chairperson Committees and House Chairperson Oversight and Institutional Support to assist the Chairperson and Deputy Chairpersons of the Council as additional presiding officers.

To amend rule 11 by deletion of the words in bold brackets and insertion of the words underlined

Relieve of Chairperson

11. A Deputy Chairperson or the [Chairperson of Committees or Deputy Chairperson of Committees] House Chairperson Committees or House Chairperson Oversight and Institutional Support or another member must take the Chair during a sitting of the Council whenever requested to do so by the Chairperson of the Council.

To insert rule 14A after rule 14 with the following underlined words.

Functions of the House Chairperson Committees

14A (1) The House Chairperson Committees shall perform the following functions-

(a) Ensuring the compilation of the programme by Select Committees that are in compliance with their strategic plans.

Providing reports to the Programme Committee meeting regarding legislation and committee activities.

(d) Facilitate the drafting of committee budgets.

Tracking the processing of legislation by committees.

Co-ordinate the Strategic and Business Plans and Programme of Select Committees’ activities.

Convene and chair the Forum of Chairpersons of Committees and Caucus Chairpersons quarterly to exchange information, perspectives and discuss, where necessary, issues relating to support to members or members’ interests.

Convenes and chairs the Chairpersons of Committees meetings to deal with the business of Select Committees, in particular the processing of legislation.

To amend rule 14 by insertion of rule 14B and of the underlined words.

Functions of the House Chairperson Oversight and Institutional Support

14B (1) The House Chairperson Oversight and Institutional Support shall perform the following functions-

(a) Co-ordinate the oversight activities of Select Committees.

Ensure the compilation of the committee reports on oversight activities.

(c) Ensure that all committees are briefed on the Budget Votes by government departments and prove progress reports on such briefings to the Programme Committee.

(d) Monitor compliance by the Executive with respect to recommendations set out in reports of Select Committees through the Office of the Chairperson of the NCOP.

(e) The facilitation of implementation of recommendations of the oversight subcommittee by championing implementation by the Task Team on Oversight by overseeing work by officials.

To address members’ queries regarding Members Interests by liasing and ensuring that policies in this regard are implemented including:

(i) Working with the Deputy Chairperson to review the document on Benefits for Members:

(ii) continuously monitor and report on the implementation of the policy as adopted after reviewing of the document on Benefits for Members;

(iii) monitor and report on needs of members with disabilities; and

(iv) monitor and report on implementation of policy in relation to former MP’s facilities including interacting with those who make contact for one reason or another.

(g) To acquaint himself/herself with policies regarding labour relations and be the recepticle of such matters in order to advise the Office of the Chairperson and enable it to intervene appropriately where necessary.

(h) To facilitate oversight of, monitor and report on the workings of the Public Education Unit. This is informed by the political imperative that Parliament should be accessible to the people as well as the constitutional imperative of facilitation of public participation.

(i) To be fully IT compliant by facilitating installation of systems to ensure that the institution is technologically ready to deal with its functions and to provide report on this matter to the Office of the Chairperson.

(j) Attend and provide inputs to the Forum of Chairpersons of Committees and Caucus Chairpersons quarterly to exchange information, perspectives and discuss, where necessary, issues relating to support to members or members’ interests.

Ensure finalisation of existing draft policies on Leave for Members, Artworks Management, Exhibitions, Library. Once policy is adopted, monitor and report on implementation progress or otherwise.

Monitor and report on Household Services work especially in relation to Parliament as well as maintenance and security of its assets.

To amend rule 94 by deletion of the words in bold brackets and insertion of the words underlined

Voting on International Agreements

To insert rule 73A after rule 73 with the following underlined words.

73A. (1) No mandate is required when the House vote on International Agreements provided in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, however, the head of the provincial delegation must cast a vote on behalf of the province.

In the absence of the head of the provincial delegation a member may vote on behalf of the province.

A decision is agreed to when at least five or more provinces vote in favour.

Meetings of Council committees and subcommittees

94. (1) Council committees and subcommittees meet whenever necessary and as determined in accordance with these Rules and the decisions and directives of the [Chairperson of Committees] House Chairperson Committees-

To amend rule 116(1)(d) by deletion of the words in bold brackets and insertion of the words underlined

Composition

116. (1) The Rules Committee consists of –

(a) the Chairperson of the Council;

the permanent Deputy Chairperson;
the Chief Whip of the Council;
the [Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of Committees]House Chairperson Committees and House Chairperson Oversight and Institutional Support;

the Programming Whip; and

(f) two representatives from each provincial delegation one of whom must be a permanent delegate.

To amend rule 142(1)(d) by deletion of the words in bold brackets and insertion of the words underlined

Composition

142. (1) The Programme Committee consists of –

(a) the Chairperson of the Council;

(b) the Deputy Chairpersons of the Council;

(c) two representatives from each provincial delegation one of whom must be delegation whip and the other a special member in the delegation;

(d) the [Chairperson of Committees in the Council] House Chairperson Committees;

(e) the House Chairperson Oversight and Institutional Support;

(f) the Chief Whip of the Council; and

(g) the most senior whip of each party represented in the Council.

(2) A whip referred to in subrule (1) (f) or (g) who is unable to attend a meeting of the Committee may designate another whip to attend the meeting.

To amend rule 157(1)(a) and (b) by deletion of the words in bold brackets and insertion of the words underlined

Composition

157. (1) The Committee of Chairpersons consists of –

(a) the [Chairperson of Committees] House Chairperson Committees;

(b) the [Deputy Chairperson of Committees] House Chairperson Oversight and Institutional Support; and

The Committee may co-opt the chairperson of an ad hoc committee as a member of the Committee.

To amend rule 158(1) and (2) by deletion of the words in bold brackets and insertion of the words underlined

Chairperson

158. (1) The [Chairperson of Committees] House Chairperson Committees presides at meetings of the Committee of Chairpersons.

(2) If the [Chairperson of Committees] House Chairperson Committees is not available the [Deputy Chairperson of Committees] House Chairperson Oversight and Institutional Support presides at a meeting of the Committee.

Report to be considered.