Councils’ June 30 deadline for submission of masterplans still stands: Minister

LOCAL Government and Public Works Minister Winston Chitando have directed local authorities to stick to the June 30 deadline for the submission of their masterplans which should guide them towards providing quality service delivery.

Most local authorities are operating without masterplans while those that have, are reportedly using outdated local plans.

President Mnangagwa launched the “Call to Action — No Compromise to Service Delivery” blueprint which provides guidelines that local authorities must take to ensure they provide efficient services that are in line with Vision 2030.

In the “Call to Action,” the President chairs a bi-annual review meeting to assess the performance of all local authorities in a move aimed at improving service delivery in towns and cities.

All local authorities are now obliged to adhere to a stipulated minimum threshold of service delivery before the approval of their budgets.

In an interview in Victoria Falls recently, Minister Chitando said the Government is providing the necessary technical support to local authorities.

“Local authorities were given until 30 June to submit masterplans and they should stick to that deadline. We are, however, keeping a very close touch with them to monitor progress and indications are that most of the local authorities will be able to meet that deadline,” he said.

“We are working with all the local authorities very closely to ensure that they submit their masterplans which upon submission, the ministry will then interrogate and get back to the councils with relevant comments, including technical support.”

Minister Chitando said once local authorities submit their plans, the ministry will take up to six months to examine the plans since it will be a long process involving comments, corrections and approval.

Government came up with the Whole of Government approach where all departments and local authorities should work together.

Many local authorities started processes of crafting their masterplans some years back and are yet to be completed.

The Urban Development Corporation (Udcorp) was primarily set up to encourage and assist local authorities in planning and co-ordinating urban growth and development, as well as to improve the standards of living of the general populace of Zimbabwe through the development of proper housing and related infrastructure.

A masterplan is a long-term planning document that provides and conceptualises a layout to guide future development and indicates an analysis for a certain population, economy, housing and land use and is based on public input, surveys, planning, initiating existing development, physical characteristics and social conditions.

Government works with the Urban Councils Association and the Association of Rural District Councils.

The masterplans will help address the haphazard sprouting of structures across most cities and towns.

In his Independence Day address last Thursday, President Mnangagwa reiterated the call for local authorities to implement the Call to Action blueprint and embrace good corporate governance.