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City of Harare to start 2012 budget consultations
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
August 19, 2011

The Harare City Councilors have alerted the Combined Harare Residents Association that the 2012 Budget consultations are set to begin. However, dates are yet to be published and the Association will flight all consultation dates in time for ward structures to prepare for these meetings. Budget consultations are a very important platform for all residents to attend because it enhances public participation in determining the amount of money residents will pay towards services they receive from Council. We urge all residents to carefully follow through the dates set in their respective wards and attend these meetings. Residents can also contact their councilors with regards to this issue for further details.

We reiterate our position that all Council budgets should strive to achieve a 70:30 ratio where 70% of total revenue collected is channeled towards service delivery and 30% being committed to administration and personnel. In the same vein, we call upon the City of Harare to account for their income and expenditure of the year 2011 by December before they transit into 2012 expenditure. In this regard we urge our city fathers to release audited statements of the past year, this will enhance transparency and promote public confidence in the management of our city. The issue of mega salaries and allowances will not be condoned and we hope that this issue will be discussed during the 2012 budget consultations.

It is also important for residents of Harare to know the steps taken in coming up with a council budget in terms of the law. Steps in Participatory budgeting;

• Initially, departments in the local authority submit detailed estimates of their proposed expenditure. These are submitted to the finance committee which then prepares a document to be submitted to full council. The council then approves the budget and makes copies which are sent to the minister and the others are then taken to the Wards for public scrutiny.
• Each councilor together with people from the public relations department are entitled to convene a meeting with the residents to discuss the budget. Proposals by residents are taken back to council. Residents are exposed to the proposed tariffs on water, sewer, all fixed charges e.t.c.
• The budget is also displayed at all council offices for the public to see. Residents can send in their objection even as a Residents Association. If there are any violent objections, the finance committee convenes another meeting to try and address the concerns of residents.
• After that process, the budget is sent to the Minister for approval in which if the Minister is "satisfied" he/she then approves the budget.

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