Every organisation must plan ahead. The City of Cape Town does this with a five year plan called the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
The IDP is an essential tool that guides the City in meeting residents’ needs and priorities. It specifies how the municipality will allocate resources and spend money, on what, and where. The issues and needs addressed in the IDP include everything Council does that affects residents, from basic services to economic growth.
The plan enables Council to make the best use of scarce resources and speed up delivery, and assists councillors to make decisions based on the needs and priorities of their communities. The IDP is reviewed each year.
After the election of a new Council on 18 May 2011, the City is now preparing a new five-year plan, and invites residents to engage in this process.
The Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Alderman Patricia de Lille, and the Deputy Executive Mayor, Alderman Ian Neilson, will be meeting with Capetonians across the metro between 19 September and 14 October. Click here for the meetings page.
The City will also be holding public meetings for residents in the subcouncils. Other events will be hosted at shopping malls and businesses.
The communication campaign is aimed at both explaining the City’s plans and priorities for the next five years, and giving residents the opportunity to provide their input.
The strategy for the future
The City’s strategy for the next five years is based on five interrelated pillars: the opportunity city; the safe city; the caring city; the inclusive city, and the well-run city.
The opportunity city will be one in which conditions attract investment and, thus, job opportunities.
The safe city, through community and stakeholder involvement, will mean freedom from fear of crime, and safer streets for all citizens.
The caring city is one where all citizens, particularly those most in need, have access to basic services.
The inclusive city is one where every resident has a say and a stake in the future, and where community involvement in decision making is important.
The well-run city means a transparent and corruption-free local government, which is receptive to the needs of its citizens.
“The previous administration prioritised infrastructure-led growth, having inherited a massive backlog of infrastructure and services,” says Mayor de Lille.
“They achieved great things, and we will continue to build on that, but our focus now is to grow the economy and to create opportunities. Doing that requires involvement from every Capetonian,” she says, and residents are urged to comment and give their input. It’s your city and your future. Have your say.
Click here to have your say.
