On Thursday, 20 July 2017, the Western Cape Government, Minister of Finance, Dr Ivan Meyer, met with Mayors and Municipal Managers of the Eden District as part of his department’s program, “Taking the budget to the People”.
During his visit, Dr Meyer was accompanied by the Provincial Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Donald Grant and different Provincial Treasury officials.
The purpose of the session was primarily to:
- provide an overview of the current fiscal and socio-economic reality within which the 2017 budget is set, including an overview of the impact of the recent credit downgrades on the Western Cape;
- elaborate on the fiscal and budget policy principles that informed the 2017 Provincial Budget;
- share the 2017 Provincial Budget, with specific reference to infrastructure spending within the Eden District and its various Local Municipalities; and
- strengthen the working relationship and culture of intergovernmental cooperation between the Western Cape Government and local authorities within the District.
During the programme, Municipal Managers were given the opportunity to engage with the MEC’s on matters that are of critical developmental importance to their respective municipalities. Questions, and in some cases concerns were raised, whereafter the Provincial delegation gave direct answers and guidance in addressing these concerns.
The role of Eden District Municipality as coordinator, facilitator and capacity builder in the region, came strongly to the forefront. In conclusion, Minister Ivan Meyer commended the district for their bold and courageous leadership during the recent disaster which struck the district.
