Two representatives per ward for BCC 2021 budget consultation
The Bulawayo City Council has resolved that councillors should recommend two representatives per ward for the 2021 budget consultations due to the covid-19 pandemic.
According to the BCC minutes seen by Community Podium, the Financial Director reported on the 21st August, 2020 that the Budget preparations for year 2021 were underway. The norm is that Council holds two consultative meetings with stakeholders to review the current year’s budget performance and presentation of the next year’s budget estimates.
BCC Town Clerk Mr. Christopher Dube said previously, Council had conducted meetings on the Budget Reviews and Budget Consultations separately.
“However because of the abnormal situation, the meetings would be held on the same day in order to observe the Covid 19 protocol. Councillors were urged to second two representatives from their wards who had the capacity to attend the meeting and give feedback to the residents”, said Dube.
Furthermore, the meeting resolved that the consultative meeting would also be used to review the Budget performance as well as project 2021 estimates. Councillors are allowed to second two representatives per ward. The business community is admitted into the venue on a first come first serve basis, and special interest groups such as women, youths, informal traders will be limited to fifty on a first come first save basis.
The current situation worldwide regarding the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the 2021 Budget process. In line with the World Health Organisation Regulations and Guidelines, the government had adopted these guidelines and introduced further measures in order to safeguard its citizens such as; number of attendees limited to 50 in any gathering, all persons to wear a mask, sanitation of hands for hygiene purposes, temperature checking, social distancing – creating distance between individuals so as to avoid spreading the disease and disinfection of venues.
