2013_14 IDP Review.pdf - KZN Development Planning

6.2 COMMUNICATION POLICYUmzinyathi District Municipality has a communication policy in place which has been adopted byCouncil, the purpose of the policy is to promote the objectives of Section 32 of the Constitution.The promotion of access to information Act (No 2 of 2000) provides that the public has the rightto information held by the organs of state or a private body. It is therefore upon the premise thatthis Communication Policy is developed. It also serves to safeguard the processes ofcommunication, proper systems need to be in place hence ensuring that procedures as per theMunicipal System Act (32 of 2000) are adhered to.For Umzinyathi District Municipality to be accountable in terms of communication, it needs tohave an understanding of its mandate. The policy is also crucial in communicating municipalplans like the IDP, Budget, PMS etc. The target groups for the policy are as follows:Internal Audienceo Mayor, Speaker, ExCo, Council, Top management, Management, StaffExternal audienceo Political parties, business people, NGO’s, Media, Faith based organisations,general public, the local municipalities, government departments etc.Some of the tools which are being utilised by the municipality in communicating the IDP /Budget are as follows:Public engagements – one in each of the four local municipalities;Quarterly external newsletter;Monthly radio talk show by the Mayor on Ukhozi FM;Umzinyathi Website;Annual Report – planned for March of each yearIDP Rep Forum meetings;Planning Forum;Municipal Managers Forum;District Mayors Forum; andAudit Committee.The communication policy is currently being reviewed for implementyation during 2013/14financial year. The municipality is also in the process of developing the Communication Strategyin partnership with the Government Coimmunication department.Draft 2013/14 IDP Review Page 104Prepared by Umzinyathi District Municipality22 March 2013