Page 44 - 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

Library Services
The library continued its operations remotely during all COVID-19 lockdown levels. The quarterly
book acquisitions included some exciting titles, but the highlight must be the 25th edition of the
Erskine May’s Treatise on law, privileges, proceedings and usage of Parliament – a guide to
parliamentary practice and procedure, specifically for parliaments following the Westminster
system. For the very first time since its publication from 1844, this guide is available online at:
https://erskinemay.parliament.uk/. The library still has one reference hardcopy available for those
who prefer to turn the pages.

A Library drop box has been acquired for library books to be returned when the library is not
physically accessible. It is situated opposite the entrance to the library.

The online news service was changed from Newsbank to PressReader. PressReader provides access
to over 70 000 newspapers and magazines from around the world and was preferred for its image
editions of publications. Articles are available for downloads and can be read while offline on various
devices. The hardcopy, local daily and weekend newspapers are still available on request from the
librarian.

The library continues to provide reference request services to Members of Provincial Parliament,
Exco and staff as well as individualised training on any of the electronic databases available. The
library was also called upon to present its activities and changes to services during the COVID-19
pandemic, at the first collaborative conference of The International Federation of Library
Associations & Institutions (IFLA) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Notably, WCPP was the
only regional/provincial parliament represented and only one of two African parliaments.

Logistical Services
Logistical Services has proved to be an enabler and continues to provide its full range of services
offered by the section even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The unit has safely transported
Members and staff to offsite events and oversight visits with no incidents during the past year. In
addition, Logistical Services have been engaging with DTPW and external parties in order to upgrade
and improve the condition of offices and open plan spaces.

Extensive research was conducted on vehicle hire in order to determine if the WCPP was paying the
best possible rates for the range of services offered by the Government Motor Transport (GMT). This
exercise proved that the GMT provides the best services and rates.

Vehicle Trip Authority and Parking Application forms have been digitalized to enable applicants and
approvers to complete and sign electronically using computers and cellphones from any location.
This has ensured that documents can be easily signed without the need to be printed, scanned, and
physically delivered to the WCPP, thereby improving efficiencies and cost saving on fuel.

Annual Report for 2021/22 Financial Year Page 37