GDF Annual Report - Gauteng Provincial Treasury

SECTION 3: REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF PROGRAMMESKEY ACHIEVEMENTSAs part of the turnaround strategy of the MEC for Healthand Social Development, the Unit prepared a researchreport with clear recommendations on improvingrevenue management processes in the department.Furthermore, funding was made available for theimplementation of an electronic data interface to assistthe Department of Health and Social Development insubmitting electronic bills to Medical Aid Schemes.The project has been implemented in 14 provincialhospitals and patient records management andrevenue collection has improved significantly.Annual publications such as Provincial Economic Reviewand Outlook (PERO) and the Socio-Economic Reviewand Outlook (SERO) were published as per set targets.The objective of these publications is to provide a wellresearched review and outlook of the provincial economyfor policy decisions to have a point of reference. Inaddition, the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement(MTBPS) which outlines priorities of the provincialgovernment over the next three years was tabled atthe Provincial Legislature. Furthermore, a conferencedealing with the PERO and MTBPS was hosted.A revenue projections model for motor vehicle licensingfees was successfully piloted with the participation ofNational Treasury. This model has now been extendedto other provinces and will be used in the projections ofmotor vehicle revenue collection.REASONS FOR MAJOR VARIANCESA number of key staff members resigned or weretransferred to other government departments anda strategic decision was made to concentrate on themajor outputs of optimisation of own revenue, MTBPS,SERO and PERO. This decision resulted in the unitmanaging to publish only 2 Quarterly Bulletins outof the 4 which was required. Only one simulationreport was completed because of the shortage ofstaff and lack of training for the remaining staffmembers.OUTLOOK FOR THE YEAR AHEAD(2011/2012)The process of recruitment has been completed andthe unit will be filling vacant posts in the near future.This should help the unit run processes normally. Themajor publications will be produced and conferencesheld at appropriate times. In addition the major outputsof the unit of optimising own revenue will be prioritisedwith all workshops, consultations and forums held toensure revenue management and enhancement. At fullcapacity, the unit will be able to produce the 4 QuarterlyBulletins and with the training of staff on the CGEmodel, impact studies will be completed. Focus will bemainly on consolidating on previous achievements andensuring that challenges encountered are effectivelyaddressed.2.4 Sub-programme: BudgetManagementPurposeThe aim of this sub-programme is to allocate resourcesin an optimal and transparent manner that is aligned tonational and provincial priorities and addresses equity,need and spatial development; and secondly to implementbudget reforms that enhance budgeting processes in theprovince and enshrine the stochastic nature of budgeting.Strategic Objectives• To ensure financial and non-financial reporting;• To facilitate, advice and support the alignmentand integration of planning and delivery in theprovince;• To manage effectively the budgeting process forthe province;• To institutionalise tools to inform the constraints,growth opportunities and allocation processes.Measurable Objectives• Ensure financial and non-financial reporting;• Facilitate, advice and support the alignment andintegration of planning and delivery in the province;• Manage effectively the budgeting process for theprovince;• Institutionalise tools to inform constraints, growthopportunities and allocation processes.Gauteng Department of Finance47