2013_14 IDP Review.pdf - KZN Development Planning

3.3.1 CHALLENGESCapacity constraints within the LED unit have posed a challenge in the implementation oflocal economic development programmes;Lack of capacity at local municipal levels has further compounded the challenge ofproper coordination of District wide LED programmes;Poor participation of social partners in LED support structures such as the IDP/LEDforum and sector forums has hampered meaningful coordination and implementation ofLED in the District;Financial resources limitations have created a challenge and the lack of capacity toidentify and leverage external funding has added to this challenge; andThe Expanded Public Works Programme has previously been regarded as aninfrastructure development support programme and confined to the Technical ServicesDepartment. Consequently, other departments and sectors, including LED have notreported on EPWP and this has affected the municipality’s allocation of the incentivegrant.3.3.2 MEASURES TAKEN TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCELED Technical support intervention by the Department of Economic Development andTourism which entailed the deployment of a specialist to, amongst other things, augmentcapacity, help set up a function LED unit and facilitate skill development;The Council organogram was reviewed in 2011/2012 taking into consideration keyexisting vacancies and new posts which needed to be filled in order to improve thecapacity of the unit. These include the LED Manager post which has now be filled,Economic Research and Development Officer, Small Business enterprise Developmentofficer and Investment Promotions and Marketing officer;Due to overlapping issues between the IDP and LED processes and the recognition thatboth processes target the same social partners, the Municipality set up an IDP/LEDstructure which constitutes of officials from various sector departments and National andProvincial government as well as municipal officials. The main objective of the structureis to integrate and coordination the District’s development endeavours;The Municipality has submitted an application to the Independent DevelopmentCorporation (IDC) for funding to set up an Economic Development Agency. It isDraft 2013/14 IDP Review Page 304Prepared by Umzinyathi District Municipality22 March 2013