Chairperson Election; Committee Programme and Provincial Visits: adoption

PUBLIC SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE
4 August 2004
CHAIRPERSON ELECTION; COMMITTEE PROGRAMME AND PROVINCIAL VISITS: ADOPTION

Chairperson: Mr R Tau (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Committee Programme, August to September 2004
Committee Programme for provincial visits, 9-13 August 2004

SUMMARY
The Committee unanimously approved its Programme and then discussed the logistics of visits to other provinces between 9 and 13 August. They would be examining water services, sanitation and housing. Delegations from the Select Committees on Public Affairs, and Land and Environmental Affairs, would split into two groups. One group, accompanied by a researcher, would go to Northern and Free State. The other group and a researcher would visit Gauteng and Limpopo provinces.

MINUTES
The Committee unanimously adopted its Programme. Integral to the programme were visits to provinces by permanent Members between 9 and 13 August. Delegations from the Select Committees on Public Affairs, and Land and Environmental Affairs, would split into two groups. One group, accompanied by a researcher, would go to Northern and Free State. The other group and a researcher would visit Gauteng and Limpopo provinces.

The objective of the visits was to look into sanitation, housing and water services. Duties for each delegation were assigned as follows: The Select Committee on Public services would assess housing. The Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs would inspect and check water services, sanitation and aquaculture. They would also visit Gariep Dam.

After all the visits the Minister of Housing would brief the Committee on housing backlogs in the Western Cape. Both Select Committees would share experiences of the visits with their Departments.

The Committee elected Mr R Tau unopposed as Committee Chairperson. He had acted as the Chairperson in the past session.

In the ensuing discussion about the visits, Mr J Le Roux (DA, Eastern Cape) asked whether each provincial delegation would visit other provinces beyond their own. The Chairperson replied that each delegation would visit other provinces.

Mr M Mzizi (IFP, Gauteng) asked about accommodation, transport and meeting places The Chairperson replied that each committee delegation should liase with its own Committee Secretary and make arrangements. Ms B Dlulane (ANC, Eastern Cape) added that each delegation would meet in the legislature in its own province. Party Whips should brief the delegates.

The meeting was adjourned.