IGR report.indd - Gauteng Online

• adhering to agreed procedures; and• avoiding legal proceedings against one another.Section 41(2) requires that an Act of Parliament must establish or provide for structures and institutions to promote andfacilitate intergovernmental relations; and provide for appropriate mechanisms and procedures to facilitate the settlement ofintergovernmental disputes.1.2 Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, no 13 of 2005In response to the constitutional mandate in section 41(2) of the Constitution, the Intergovernmental RelationsFramework Act (Framework Act) was formulated and passed into law in 2005. The provisions set out in the FrameworkAct provided an overall legislative framework applicable to all government entities and provided principles forcooperative governance. The Framework Act aimed to provide for limited legislative intervention to allow for theorganic maturation of intergovernmental relations and allow for it to respond to the dynamic system of government.The Framework Act specifically looks into:••Providing the general principles for IGR••Regulation of IGR forums••Provision of guidelines to govern internal IGR procedures••Providing a framework for the settlement of IGR disputes.1.3 Local Government Turnaround Strategy (LGTAS), 2009The Local Government Turnaround Strategy is aimed at counteracting the factors that are undermining our LocalGovernment system. Weak intergovernmental support, oversight, and accountability systems are some of the rootcauses of problems experienced by municipalities. IGR is identified as one of the five strategic areas were interventionis critical to restore the confidence of the majority of the people in local government. To turn around local governmentthe following needs to happen:• all three spheres of government will improve Inter-Governmental Relations (IGR)in practice• IGR structures must be tasked with addressing the factors undermining the Local Government system• There must be a review of all IGR structures across government• IGR structures must meet regularly and be effective in supporting and monitoring the overall LGTAS including themunicipal turnaround strategies.Therefore, this Framework will be based on the following principles:• Transparency and Democracy: Public participation in government processes• Inclusivity and equality: All spheres of government are equal stakeholders and should participate in thedevelopment of the province’s priorities and developmental agendaTo achieve this vision the following needs to happen:• Community needs should form the basis of Provincial annual plans and Integrated Development PlansGauteng IntergovernmentalRelations Framework11