1. Introduction
1.1. What is an IDP Process Plan?

According to chapter 5 of the Municipal Systems Act (MSA) of 2000, all municipalities have to undertake an Integrated Development Planning process (i.e. IDP Process Plan) to produce an Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The process plan in this case essentially fulfils the function of a business plan and/or operational plan for the review process of the IDP, Budget and PMS. It is a plan that simply defines what should happen, by when it should happen, who is responsible, and how it should happen during the process of formulating/reviewing an IDP, Budget and PMS for a Municipality.

The IDP Process Plan will include amongst others, reviewing the 2023/2024 IDP, addressing MEC comments, identify sector plans to be developed or reviewed, aligning IDP/ Budget and PMS processes, engage with sector departments and service providers, integrating IDP and Sector Plans with the resource framework, reviewing the Spatial Development Framework and development of Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan.

This document constitutes the Process Plan of the AbaQulusi Municipality and is meant to ensure the proper management of the planning process through the following:

Setting the scene to manage the planning process and legal requirements in planning for the implementation of the integrated planning system; A programme specifying time schedule that guide IDP and budget planning processes and various planning steps; Outlining appropriate mechanisms, processes and procedures on how the public, stakeholders, state organs can participate in the drafting of the IDP and formulation of the budget structures that will be used to ensure this participation; Indicate necessary organizational arrangements to ensure the successful implementation of the integrated development planning process; Binding plans and planning requirements, i.e. policy and legislation; and A programme specifying how the process will be monitored in order to manage the progress of the IDP, Budget and PMS processes.

1.2. Legislative Framework
The preparation of an IDP Process Plan for the annual review is referred to in Chapter 5, Section 28 of the Municipal Systems Act, Act No. 32 of 2000 as follows: Adoption of a process- i. Each municipal council, within a prescribed period after the start of its elected term, must adopt a process set out in writing to guide the planning, drafting and adoption and review of its integrated development plan. ii. The municipality must through appropriate mechanisms, processes and procedures established in terms of Chapter 4, consult the local community before adopting the process iii. A municipality must give notice to the local community of particulars of the process it intends to follow. 3 AbaQulusi Municipality Final 2024-2025 IDP and Budget Process Plan In order to ensure certain minimum quality standards of the IDP Review process, a proper coordination between and within spheres of government, the preparation of the Process Plan has been regulated in the MSA. The preparation of a Process Plan, which is in essence the IDP Review Process set in writing, requires adoption by Council. This plan has to include the following:

• A programme specifying the time frames for the different planning steps;
• Appropriate mechanisms, processes and procedures for consultation and participation of local communities, organs of state, traditional authorities, and other role players in the IDP drafting process;
• An indication of the organisational arrangements for the IDP process;
• Binding plans and planning requirements, i.e. policy and legislation; and Mechanisms and procedures for vertical and horizontal alignment. The alignment of IDP and preparation of Annual Budget is regulated in terms of Chapter 4 Section 21 of Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003, therefore it’s very crucial that the IDP and Budget are linked as per the legislative requirement.