MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Vote again? Yes! Only this time, you will vote for the ward committee representative that will serve your ward's interest best.
The Mossel Bay Municipality has embarked on the process to established new ward committees and will implement the block methodology for ward committee composition.
Mossel Bay's 14 Wards have been divided into a minimum of five blocks each and two representatives will be elected from each block to make up the 10 ward committee members per ward.
Earlier the municipality called for nominations for ward committee members. Candidates nominated for a specific ward and block will stand for the election. Ward committee elections commenced on Monday, 22 August and will be concluded on Wednesday, 7 September.
All residents registered with the IEC are eligible to vote for their ward committees.
Residents should bring along their identity document / card on the day of the election.
Ward committees have an important role to play in bridging the gap between the municipality, its Council and the community. The object of a ward committee is to enhance participatory democracy in local government.
a) Is an advisory body
b) Is a representative structure
c) Is independent; and
d) Must be impartial and perform its functions without fear, favour or prejudice.
A ward committee may make recommendations on any matter affecting its ward to the ward councillor, or through the ward councillor, to the ward forum, the local council, the executive committee, or the executive mayor.
• To serve as one of the official specialised participatory structures in the municipality for the public;
• To create formal unbiased communication channels as well as co-operative partnership between the municipality and the community within a ward
• Advise and make recommendations to the ward councillor on matters affecting the ward;
• Assist the ward councillor in identifying challenges and needs of residents;
• Disseminate information in the ward concerning municipal affairs such as the budget, integrated development planning, performance management system (PMS), service delivery options and municipal properties;
• Receive queries and complaints from residents concerning municipal service delivery, communicate it via the ward councillor to the municipality executive management and provide feedback to the community on its response;
• Ensure constructive and harmonious interaction between the municipality and community through the use and co-ordination of ward residents' meetings and other community development forums; and
• Interact with other forums and organisations on matters affecting the ward.
• To serve as a mobilising agent for community action within the ward. This may be achieved as follows:
• Attending to all matters that affect and benefit the community;
• Acting in the best interest of the community;
• Ensuring the active participation of the community in:
• Service payment campaigns;
• The integrated development plan (IDP) process;
• The municipality's budgetary process;
• Performance management system;
• Decisions about the provision of municipal services; and
• Decisions about by-laws.
Please consult the ward councillor for information on when the election of your ward committee will take place.
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