The Municipality
How it works
How is the new municipality structured?
The Constitution of 1996 requires that a municipality "must structure and manage its administration and budgeting and planning processes to give priority to the basic needs of the community and to promote the social and economic development of the community".
The boundaries of the newly established municipality now include a large area characterised by very different features. Five former municipalities - that of Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor, Montagu and Robertson - have merged into one and are now known as the Langeberg Municipality.
The Langeberg Municipality is in the Cape Winelands District of the Western Province.
The Langeberg Municipal Council is the ultimate political decision-making body of the municipality. Ward councillors are the major link between the municipal government and the residents. The Executive Mayor of the Langeberg takes overall strategic and political responsibility for the city, while the Municipal Manager heads the city's administration. The heads of departments and officials are responsible for physically implementing policy.
So who does all the work?
The Municipality is led by an Executive Mayor, Alderman (Mrs) Diana Gagiano. The Mayor takes overall strategic and political responsibility for the area. There are 23 councillors with 12 being ward councillors and 11 being proportional representation councillors. The Democratic Alliance has a majority with 11 councillors. The ANC has 7 seats. Another three parties also have elected representatives on the council (2 Civic Independent members, one PDM member, 1 Cope member and one WCC member). The Municipal Manager, Mr Soyisile Andreas Mokweni, heads the Langeberg administrative division and provides the link between the political and administrative arms of town government. The administration has just over 600 employees divided into the Executive Mayoral Office, the Municipal Manager's Office and four directorates - Financial Services, Infrastructure Development, Corporate Services and Community Services.
SLOGAN
People at the centre of development
VISION
Together we strive for a unified, prosperous community where people are at the centre of development.
MISSION
Council will achieve its vision to:
* establish a good and transparent Local Government
* provide equal, sustainable and affordable services to all
* enhance cooperation between all relevant stakeholders through community participation processes
* establish and improve social and economic development for all
* enhance sustainable environmental development
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
in order of priority
* to effectively respond to the Housing needs of the community
* to deliver quality Basic Services
* to create a basis for Local Economic Development
* to transform the organisation and to develop its Administration in line with Council’s new vision
* to practice Sound Financial Management
* to strengthen public confidence through effective Stakeholder Management
What is an Integrated Development Plan?
The Municipal Systems Act defines an IDP as "a single, inclusive and strategic plan for the development of the municipality". This document is a tool that will enable the municipality to achieve its constitutional objectives. These are:
* To provide democratic and accountable government for local authorities.
* To ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner.
* To promote social and economic development.
* To promote a safe and healthy environment.
* To encourage community participation in local government matters.
The IDP is seen as a management tool for the administration as well as a tool for the development of partnerships and strategic alliances on different levels.
