The Integrated Development Plan (IDP)

It is a principal strategic planning instrument which guides and informs all planning, budgeting, management and decision-making processes in a municipality.

IDP is a 5 -year development plan directly linked to 5 year term of office for local councilors therefore It means that planning has to be developmental and it has to focus on the needs of the poor. The IDP process can take up to 9 months to complete the cycle, but the process does not affect the implementation of existing projects in a municipality.

Purpose of the IDP

Involves entire municipality and its citizens finding the best solutions to achieve sustainable long term development. It’s the allocation available and accessible resources around certain development priorities and strategies and focus on service delivery.

IDP is drawn up to improve the quality of people’s lives through the formulation of integrated and sustainable projects and programmes.

The IDP is made up of the following 5 phases:

Phase 1: The Analysis Phase

This phase deals with the existing situation. It analyses the specific problems faced by the people in the municipal area. The issues normally deal with a number of aspects such as lack of basic services, crime and unemployment.

The problems identified are weighed according to their urgency and/or importance to come up with priority issues. During this phase, the municipality considers peoples perception of their problems and needs, but also facts and figures. This phase not only deals with the symptoms, but also the causes of the problems in order to make informed decisions on appropriate solutions.

The outputs of this phase include:

• Assessment of existing levels of development;

• Priority issues or problems;

• Information on causes of priority issues/problems; and

• Information on available resources.

Phase 2:  The Strategy Phase

This phase involves the formulation of solutions to address the problems identified in the analysis phase. The issues covered will include: highlighting the ideal situation for the municipalities to achieve in the long run, activities to be carried out in the medium term in order to address the problems identified in phase one and contribute not only to the realization of the vision but also international, national and provincial development goals and objectives.

The outcomes of this phase are:

• The municipal vision;

• Objectives; and

• Strategies.

Phase 3:  The Projects Phase.

This phase is about the design and specification of projects for implementation. The municipality must make sure that the project identified has a direct linkage to the priority issues and the objectives that were identified in the previous phases.

It must also be clear on the target group (intended beneficiaries), the location of the project, when it will commence and end, who will be responsible for managing it, how much it will cost and where the money will come from. It must also identify targets and indicators to measure performance and impact of the project.

The outcomes of this phase include:

• Project outputs, targets, location;

• Project related activities and time schedule;

• Cost and budget estimates; and

• Performance indicators.

Phase 4: The Integration Phase

This phase is an opportunity for the municipalities to ensure that the projects identified are in line with the municipalities’ objectives and strategies, the resource framework and comply with the legal requirements. 

The expected outcomes for this phase include:

• Five year financial plan;

• Five year capital investment programme;

• Integrated Spatial Development Framework;

• Sector alignment;

• Integrated sectoral programmes;

• Consolidated monitoring/performance management system;

• Disaster Management; and

• Institutional Plan.

Phase 5: Approval Phase

Once the IDP has been completed, it has to be submitted to the municipal council for consideration and approval. The council must look at whether the IDP identifies the issues (problems) that affect the area and the extent to which the strategies and projects will contribute to addressing the problems.

The council must also ensure that the IDP complies with the legal requirements before it is approved. Furthermore, before the approval of the IDP, the municipality must give an opportunity to the public to comment on the draft.

Once the IDP is amended according to the input from the public, the council considers it for approval. The outputs of this are an approved IDP for the municipality. Once a municipality has adopted its IDP, it must, within 10 days of adoption, submit a copy thereof, to the MEC of the Province for the assessment.

IDP must be reviewed every year to ensure:

Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000 (MSA) requires that the IDP be implemented and that the municipality monitors and evaluates its performance. Municipalities and communities should keep track of progress.

Municipalities are required to review the achievements of the implementation of the IDP and to make any necessary changes to the IDP plan and feed into the budget for the following financial year.

Communities to review their needs and make possible changes to the priorities contained in the Municipality’s IDP.

Public Participation in the IDP

RSA Constitution implies public participation when referring to the objects of local government as “to provide democratic and accountable government for local communities” and “to encourage the involvement of communities and community organizations in the matters of local government”.

Involvement of the community and stakeholder organizations in the IDP process is very important, and it is one of the main features of the IDP Process. Public participation of affected and interested parties ensures that the IDP addresses the real issues that are experienced by the citizens of a municipality. The municipality therefore, encourages all citizens to participate in the IDP process.

Community Based Planning (CBP) links to the IDP

Community Based Planning is a form of participatory planning which has been designed to promote community action and to link to the Integrated Development Planning in Drakenstein Municipality. CBP is based on a combination of community planning and community empowering and that has been lead to improved ward and other services. The approach to planning developed in the presence of different stakeholders within the Drakenstein Municipality. The planning process has been initiated and co-coordinated by the Drakenstein Municipality. Priority issues were raised within the wards and the Community Based Planning (CBP) enhances Integrated Development Planning (IDP).

Ward Plans are developed and reviewed during the consultation phase of the Integrated Development Planning (IDP). Whilst such Ward Development Plans serves as primary input into the development of the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process, it also serves as a platform to address the operational street level needs which does not necessarily forms part of the strategic development agenda. In both its strategic and operational role, Ward Development Plans should also serve as the primary basis for communication and feedback to the community on progress and performance of service delivery within the ward