2013_14 IDP Review.pdf - KZN Development Planning

envisaged that the agency would take over the function of identifying and exploringcatalytic interventions, package proposals, leverage funding, market the District andfacilitate strategic linkages and partnerships for economic development. The Municipalityhas enjoyed the support of the IDC on this concept however the recent developmentswhich saw a change in the type of support offered by the IDC entails that the Municipalitywill have to seek alternative avenues to fund the establishment and initial operationalcosts of the agency. The successful establishment of this special purpose vehicle willbegin to address the capacity issues as stated in the points above; andIn the current financial year, the reporting on the LED programmes will ensure that thealignment to the EPWP principles is highlighted to enable an increase in the share fromthe incentives grant.3.3.3 RECOMMENDATIONSThe key / critical posts which remain vacant need to be filled urgently in order to improvecapacity of the LED unit to implement LED;Whilst the issue of capacity remains a major impediment to successful implementation ofLED, the contract period for the LED technical support intervention needs to beextended. The alternative to this is the setting up of a LED Project Management Unit ofAgency and it should be ensure that the structure has a high level of skilled andcapacitated team to drive economic growth and development in the District. Thisproposal will be submitted to the current funder (DEDT) and the support of the IDC andother funding institutions will also be solicited;Resolutions which emanated from the IDP/LED engagement process need to becemented by tangible commitments from the various stakeholders and this should havetimeframes and monitoring systems in place;The Municipality needs to intensify skills and capacity building initiatives aimed at thecurrent staff within he LED unit; andThe focus by the municipality with regards to allocation of the LED budget should be thecreation of a basket of bankable proposals of economic development initiatives.Draft 2013/14 IDP Review Page 305Prepared by Umzinyathi District Municipality22 March 2013