The FF Plus did not support the adoption of the 2023/24 budget of the Bela Bela Local Municipality during a special council meeting on Tuesday, 30 May 2023.
The adopted budget does not provide answers, nor does it meet the legal requirements in terms of the Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA).
The FF Plus was once again the only party requesting the council to put its objection to the adoption of the budget on record.
The party also pointed out that the financial documents lacked the necessary tables, charts and explanatory information.
The MFMA’s regulations for municipal budgets and reporting stipulate that the annual budget and supporting documentation of a municipality must be in a specific format.
During a public meeting, which forms part of the Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the Mayor, Ms Gloria Seleka, tabled the budget, and the residents and businessowners of Ward 1 submitted comments.
During this IDP meeting, the Ward 1 Committee also opposed the adoption of the presented budget seeing as it does not comply with the legal requirements.
It seems that residents’ input was blatantly ignored, which does not promote transparency, as envisaged by local government legislation, at all.
The consequences of non-compliance with legally prescribed procedures for the adoption of a new budget must be clearly set out and adhered to.
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