Overstrand Municipality’s revised Ward Committee Rules were approved by Special Council on 15 September 2026.
Overstrand Municipality’s Special Council approved the revised Ward Committee Rules on 15 September 2026 following a public participation and comment period
Table of Contents
Ward Rules
The Ward Committee Rules explain who can take part, how Ward Committee members are elected, what they are expected to do, how meetings are conducted and how they must engage with the communities they represent.
The approved Ward Rules are now available on the Municipality’s website: www.overstrand.gov.za > About Us > Ward Info or click here www.overstrand.gov.za/document/policies/policies-1/ward-committee-rules-2026
The Rules Cover
Who can serve: A Ward Committee consists of the Ward Councillor and up to 10 elected members representing organisations, sectors or geographical areas within the ward.
Who can participate: Organisations, sectors and geographical blocks within the particular ward. Organisations and sectors must have operated in the ward for at least six months and have a formally adopted constitution. Individual residents cannot stand as individual representatives.
What they do: Ward Committees serves as a bridge between the community and the municipality, ensuring that residents through their respective representative/s have a platform to express their needs, concerns and priorities.
They provide input on matters affecting the ward, including municipal planning, budgeting and service delivery, and communicate community concerns to the Municipality.
The role of the Ward Councillor: The Ward Councillor chairs the Ward Committee, represents the ward in Council and acts as a link between the community and the Municipality.
Elections: The Rules set out the nomination, voting and election process, including who may vote and how the results are recorded.
Meetings: Must meet monthly or every second month, while public meetings in the ward must be held quarterly. Ward Committee meetings are open to the public, subject to the Rules.
Community feedback: Ward Committee members must report back to the organisations, sectors or geographical areas they represent at least quarterly.
Conduct and attendance: Members are required to attend meetings, follow the Code of Conduct and disclose any direct or indirect financial interest in matters being discussed. The Rules also provide for replacement where members are repeatedly absent.
Vacancies: The Rules provide for vacancies to be filled from a replacement list or, where necessary, through the election process.
Expenses: Provision is made for the reimbursement of eligible out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Ward Committee members in carrying out their official duties.
Responsibilities of the Municipality: The Municipal Administration provides administrative and technical support, including arranging meetings, keeping minutes and making the information available on the municipal website.
Key Updates and Context
- Ward Expansion: The rules were updated as the Overstrand Municipality increases from 14 to 15 wards ahead of upcoming local government elections.
- Core Objectives: The revised policy aims to enhance local governance, broaden community and sector representation within each ward, and clarify the roles of ward councillors, PR councillors, the speaker, and the administration.
- Governance & Accountability: The framework introduces stricter performance expectations, a strengthened code of conduct for committee members, and clearer guidelines for public meetings and quarterly constituency reporting
key proposed changes include:
- Broader representation of community organisations, sectors and geographical areas within each ward.
- Clearer eligibility requirements for Ward Committee members.
- Greater emphasis on community participation, transparency and accountability.
- Strengthened Code of Conduct and performance expectations for Ward Committee members.
- Clearer procedures for meetings, reporting, service delivery monitoring and communication with communities.
The Municipality encourages residents, community organisations, current members and councillors to read the draft document carefully and submit comments before the closing date.
Click on ‘Documents open for Public Comment’ tab on the municipal website (https://www.overstrand.gov.za/document/documents-open-for-public-comment/)
Comments on the Draft Revised Rules must be submitted by 30 July 2026 via email to rlouw@overstrand.gov.za.
All comments received during the public participation process will be considered before the revised Rules are submitted to Council for adoption.
Source and References
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