. The management of grants should be reviewed; . The approach on conditional grants should not be a one size fits all, it should be based on municipal needs and its capacity to deliver; . Analyse past performance to improve the operational effectiveness of the grants; . A conditional grant for rural municipalities for job creation and economic development should be introduced; . Disaster management funding should reach municipalities earlier; . Electricity Demand Side Management funding must be effectively targeted; and . Increase funding for the water services operating subsidy grant to assist municipalities struggling with refurbishment and maintenance.