Page 37 - WCPP Annual Report 2021-22_Draft #7.6.2

Annual Report for the 2021/22 Financial Year
Vote 2: Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Part B: Performance Information

11.1.5. Summary of achievements: Governance (Leadership) and Administra on

SUBPROGRAMME: OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

During the period under review the WCPP implemented various ac vi es in line with its current
Governance Framework. Regular monthly and quarterly mee ngs took place virtually on various
levels from the Execu ve Commi ee, Senior Management Team, Governance Commi ee and other
commi ees in terms of the Framework. The Extended Management team also convened quarterly
from August 2020. Through these structures the WCPP was able to respond effec vely and
appropriately to the COVID-19 pandemic so that its opera ons could con nue.

During the period under review the WCPP maintained its good rela onship with its external
assurance providers. Regular interac on took place with the Audit Commi ee and Internal Audit as
well as the legisla ve oversight body the Parliamentary Oversight Commi ee.

The fixed-term retainership agreement of the Registrar of Members Interests came to an end on 31
August 2020. A er a formal recruitment process the Registrar of Members Interest was reappointed
for the period 1 December 2020 to 30 November 2023.

The Registrar reports to the Conduct Commi ee in respect of the implementa on of the provisions
of the Code of Conduct that is the Registrar’s “professional” responsibility. The Accoun ng Officer, in
terms of the impera ves of sec on 7 of the FMPPLA, has to put measures and mechanisms in place
to “ensure” that the Registrar, as contracted, performs in terms of agreed contractual terms and
provisions. To this end the Registrar provides a quarterly report to the Accoun ng Officer.

Legal Services

For the year under review, the Legal Support Unit provided advisory support to the administra on in
respect of the review and dra ing of various agreements between the legislature and others. Among
others, these agreements were for: a stakeholder database; alterna ve venues in case of disaster;
maintenance of the precincts; various informa on-technology-related ma ers; a memorandum of
understanding with the Commission for Gender Equality; recruitment; a memorandum of
understanding with the South African Police Service; corporate videos; printers; short-term
insurance for the State of the Province Address; usage of the database of the Companies and
Intellectual Property Commission; and for a memorandum of understanding with the University of
Cape Town.

Legal Support Unit continued its advisory support to standing committees in respect of law-making.
These laws included provincial Bills and Bills referred to the legislature in accordance with section 76
of the Constitution. Among other things, these laws concerned: land tenure rights; land use planning;
amendment of the provincial constitution and the Constitution; environmental management;
biodiversity; transport infrastructure; housing consumer protection; municipal systems; forests
management; and veld and forest fires management.

Legal Support Unit also provided advisory support to committees on issues such as: drafting a Bill for
the amendment of money Bills; nominations to vacancies on hospital boards; non-commencement
of the Western Cape Petitions Act, 2006; the constitutional status of the Western Cape Commissioner

Annual Report for 2021/22 Financial Year Page 30