LET US KNOW WHAT ARE THE NEEDS IN YOUR COMMUNITY BEFORE 31 OCTOBER 2024.

Integrated Development Planning (IDP) is an approach to planning that involves the entire municipality and its citizens in finding the best solutions to achieve long-term development. This is a crucial process that shapes the future of Langeberg Municipality.

Local municipalities in South Africa must use "integrated development planning" to plan future development in their areas. Apartheid planning has left us with cities and towns that:

• Have racially divided business and residential areas.
• Are poorly planned and do not cater to the needs of the poor, who have to travel long distances to work and have poor access to business and other services.
• Have significant differences in the level of services between rich and poverty-stricken areas.
• Have sprawling informal settlements and spread-out residential areas that make service delivery difficult.
• Left rural areas underdeveloped and unserviced.

The new approach to local government must be developmental and aim to overcome the poor planning of the past. The IDP approach emphasises developmental planning, focusing on the needs of the poor, and creating a more inclusive and fair future.

Why is it necessary to do an IDP?

There are six main reasons why a municipality should have an IDP:

• It identifies essential needs, ensuring effective use of scarce resources.
• It helps speed up service delivery.
• Strengthens democracy.
• Helps to overcome the legacy of apartheid.
• Promotes coordination between local, provincial, and national governments.
• It attracts additional funds and resources from other spheres of government.

What is the IDP Process?

Before starting the planning process, an IDP Process Plan must be drawn up. This plan is meant to ensure the proper management of the planning process. This plan should outline:

• The structures that will manage the planning process.
• How the public can participate and what structures will be created to ensure this participation.
• The schedule for the planning process.
• Who is responsible for what?
• How will the process be monitored?

Who are the stakeholders who can participate in the IDP process?

• Municipality and Councillors
• Communities and other stakeholders
• National and provincial sector departments
• Everyone in the municipal area can participate. It is about finding sustainable solutions for long-term development.

The IDP Process Timeline

According to Section 25 of the Municipal Systems Act (MSA), each municipality, including Langeberg Municipality, must adopt a single, inclusive, and strategic plan known as the IDP within a prescribed time after the start of its elected term.

Here is a summary of the timeline:

• August: The process plan and time schedule deadlines are set to draft the IDP and budget.
• September/October: Public engagements start on the IDP and Budget.
• November: Government and municipalities talk about policy priorities.
• December: Plans are reviewed and matched with priorities.
• January: Detailed budgets are prepared.
• February: Proposed budgets are discussed.
• March: Public engagements to present the draft Budget for comments.
• April: Community inputs are considered.
• May: Final plans are prepared, and Plans are approved by Council.

Implementing Submitted Inputs

There is a structured process to assess and prioritise submissions. The implementation timeframe depends on factors such as budget availability, project urgency, and legal regulations. Langeberg Municipality follows a structured process outlined in the Municipal Systems Act to assess, prioritize, and implement submitted inputs.