𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱, 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿 STATEMENT BY ALDERMAN KOOS LE ROUX, SPEAKER OF DRAKENSTEIN MUNICIPALITY The principle of Council transparency links very closely to the democratic values of South Africa and the responsibilities of the Council Speaker as custodian thereof. In this regard it has come to my attention that certain councillors expressed their views on these principles so as to cast a negative view on the Drakenstein Municipal Council’s transparency. Regarding Council meetings, the following practices are in place: 1. All Council meetings, unless dealing with a confidential item, are open to members of the public. 2. My office oversees the media and public attendees’ guest lists on a monthly basis and we can confirm that these gallery seats are regularly filled. 3. Council agendas are provided to our libraries as well as published on the municipal website, www.drakenstein.gov.za, for public scrutiny. 4. Every month, after Council meetings, the Executive Mayor and I conduct radio interviews on Council matters with the two main Drakenstein-based radio stations, Radio KC and Paarl FM. 5. Members of the Mayoral Committee regularly engage with the public and other stakeholders to further enhance transparency and public participation. 6. The municipal portfolio committee meetings, as well as the ward councillors’ report-back meetings, further drive transparency. 7. Drakenstein Municipality also reports to the public through our monthly digital newsletter, Vars, and our social media platforms. 8. Journalists from the Paarl Post and other news outlets regularly attend Council meetings, after which they publish articles and broadcast news inserts. 9. At the end of May each year, Council must adopt a new budget. In this instance, the Executive Mayor addresses Council through his Budget Speech wherein he motivates the proposed budget and new tariffs. In following the practice of the past few years, the Budget Speech will again be livestreamed this year. In conclusion, my office can categorically state that the democratic principles of accountability, transparency and accessibility are prioritised and adhered to in Drakenstein. Regarding the Rules of Order amendment to make provision for the regulation of virtual and hybrid meetings, I can confirm that it has been included in the draft update already workshopped with councillors. Virtual Council meetings have been the practice during the COVID period and were successfully implemented. My office will consider, subject to what the budget implication is, proposed further measures if it can contribute to public participation and further enhance the abovementioned democratic principles.