Successful Facilitated Workshop between FEKRRA and Kouga Municipality

The Federation of Kouga Residents and Ratepayers Association and Kouga Municipality held two days of discussions under the watchful eye of an experienced facilitator this week. Discussions were tough and tense at times but to both parties surprise, an amicable agreement was reached which to all extent and purposes left the KM with its autonomy but guaranteed FEKRRA access to critical steps in the Municipal budgeting process and various technical and personnel issues.

Residents in Kouga would be the benefactors of this joint initiative, as FEKRRA would be given a vital watchdog role and would be able to assist the Municipality with much needed expertise at crucial times during the planning and budgeting phases and on the Technical Steering Committee. It was agreed that “Visions of intent inspire people but that the right structures move them”. In this light it was recognized that the correct structures needed to be put in place. What was most pleasing during the workshop was that it became very evident that both parties were focused entirely on providing residents in Kouga with more efficient cost effective service delivery.

During the two day discussions a host of other issues were addressed and resolutions found. It was clear that despite the agreement that was reached, it would not be an easy road ahead. Trust would have to be developed and the new modus operandi would have to be put to the test. It was agreed that both parties would work hard at making the relationship work and that any system could be altered at a later stage if it became clear that there was a better way of addressing issues.

Some examples of concrete decisions that were made were the following:

That there would be a helpline that would be channeled through the PR department of the Municipality where problems could be reported. The resident would be given a reference number and the KM undertook to reply to the query within four days.
A monthly meeting would be held with FEKRRA and other representative parties and the Directors of the Kouga Municipality. At this meeting discussions on various issues would take place and questions would be answered by the Directors on issues that had been sent into them. During the first Stakeholder Forum Meeting to be held at the end of March, all current outstanding issues would be dealt with.
A control mechanism has been put in place whereby any issues that had not been resolved at local level could and would be escalated up to the MEC at Provincial level.
That FEKRRA would be facilitated at all the relevant stages in the Municipal Calendar. In this way timely input could be given on critical issues such as the budget, town planning and maintenance that could affect the residents.

In a wrap up at the end of the meeting all delegates appeared to be optimistic about the way forward and committed themselves to building a better environment for residents living within the Kouga Region. It is here where the hard work begins and it is now up to the parties to make positive things happen within Kouga.