SECTION 79 PETITIONS COMMITTEE

Section 79 Petitions Committee
A. OBJECTIVE OF THE COMMITTEE 1.To ensure that the Petitions Policy, as approved by the Council is implemented and that it functions efficiently. 2.To continually monitor the implementation and efficacy of the Petitions Policy and to ensure that it satisfies the Council's aims for its establishment, namely: i.To efficiently address all written public requests and grievances timeously; ii.To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of existing petitions policy processes within Council. iii.To establish benchmarks and practice on ways of increasing access to Council to address all issues and matters for all sectors of the community; and iv.To provide (information and knowledge) a platform to the public on how to interact with Council in an open, transparent and productive manner. B. POWERS OF RECOMMENDATION AND REPORTS 1.The Committee must submit quarterly and annual reports to Council indicating all the petitions received, and a summary of the response to the petitioners/community. 2.Unless otherwise instructed by the Council, the Petitions Committee may consider and make recommendations to the Council on the development, amendment or substitution of the Council's Petitions Policy or any matter related to. C. POWERS OF BINDING DECISION MAKING The Petitions Committee shall have final decision-making powers on the following matters: 1.The power to determine the Council's response to each petition. 2.The power to directly respond to the petitioners. 3.The power to direct and instruct for further investigations regarding the petitions. 4.The power to route the petition and/or attend to the petitions in any other responsible manner. 5.The power to subpoena any person to attend a Committee meeting and answer questions relating to a petition, and any aspect which such person is involved in. 6.The power to determine the appropriate method of reporting the outcome of the petitions to the petitioners and/or community and to oversee such reporting back. 7.To provide information and knowledge to the public.

Section 79 Petitions Committee

A. OBJECTIVE OF THE COMMITTEE

1.To ensure that the Petitions Policy, as approved by the Council is implemented and that it functions efficiently.

2.To continually monitor the implementation and efficacy of the Petitions Policy and to ensure that it satisfies the Council's aims for its establishment, namely:

i.To efficiently address all written public requests and grievances timeously;

ii.To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of existing petitions policy processes within Council.

iii.To establish benchmarks and practice on ways of increasing access to Council to address all issues and matters for all sectors of the community; and

iv.To provide (information and knowledge) a platform to the public on how to interact with Council in an open, transparent and productive manner.

B. POWERS OF RECOMMENDATION AND REPORTS

1.The Committee must submit quarterly and annual reports to Council indicating all the petitions received, and a summary of the response to the petitioners/community.

2.Unless otherwise instructed by the Council, the Petitions Committee may consider and make recommendations to the Council on the development, amendment or substitution of the Council's Petitions Policy or any matter related to.

C. POWERS OF BINDING DECISION MAKING

The Petitions Committee shall have final decision-making powers on the following matters:

1.The power to determine the Council's response to each petition.

2.The power to directly respond to the petitioners.

3.The power to direct and instruct for further investigations regarding the petitions.

4.The power to route the petition and/or attend to the petitions in any other responsible manner.

5.The power to subpoena any person to attend a Committee meeting and answer questions relating to a petition, and any aspect which such person is involved in.

6.The power to determine the appropriate method of reporting the outcome of the petitions to the petitioners and/or community and to oversee such reporting back.

7.To provide information and knowledge to the public.