IGR report.indd - Gauteng Online

1 Introduction and ContextThe Intergovernmental Relations as a constitutional, statutory process to facilitate integrated and cooperativegovernance has also been addressed through national, provincial and local policy and strategic planningprocesses. This approach has been informed by the need to ensure cohesive policy planning processes andimplementation with the purpose of achieving service delivery outcomes.Amongst the national strategic initiatives followed are the State of the Nation Address (SONA), the State of theProvince Addresses (SOPA), the national and provincial budget process and tabling and the provincial ExecutiveCouncil Extended Lekgotla. The provincial Executive Council Extended Lekgotla is an initiative by provincial premiersin this case the Gauteng Provincial Government Premier to bring together Members of the Executive Council(MECs) and Members of the Municipal Executive Councils (MME’s) and Mayors to discuss a provincial mutual policyprogramme of action and its implementation with the purpose of achieving strategic outcomes. This is an overallexecutive engagement process amongst executive leadership (The Premier and Members of the Executive Council inthe province, Members of the Municipal Executive Councils (MME’s) and Mayors within the spheres of government inthe province.The process is supported by senior government officials including the Provincial Director General, Heads of Departmentsand Municipal Managers. The support process include consolidating departmental and local government strategicplans in line with the approved annual performance plans (APPS) with the purpose of achieving strategic outcomesfor the province.The policy and strategic consideration of consolidating departmental and local government strategic plans issues by thePremier and Members of the Executive Council in the province, Members of the Municipal Executive Councils (MME’s)and Mayors within the spheres of government in the province is then translated into a provincial intergovernmentalrelations programme of action.The Gauteng Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Framework therefore facilitates intergovernmental relations andcooperative government within the above broader policy and strategic context and mandate. It also aims to providepragmatic guidelines that will shift co-operative governance from theory to focusing on service delivery and ensuringresponsiveness to citizens’ needs at both macro and micro level. The implementation of the Framework will strengthenrelations between the three spheres of government, link and synergize provincial sector IGR Forums, including thePremier’s Coordination Forum, inter-municipal and inter-provincial forums.Gauteng IntergovernmentalRelations Framework9