SECTION I 7.21.1.14 Policy
2.4 NORMATIVE FACTORS THAT IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION
It is important to note the fact that the study takes into account two other approaches which in this regard would be fused together. This is the Cloete and Public management model. These processes relate specifically to the following, Cloete (1998:86-87).
2.3.4 LAWS
/ Law profoundly influences and affects public resource management. The legally become binding authoritative norm with which people have to comply. In this sense, they have a wider authority than they do as acts of legislative bodies, for example, parliaments, provincial legislatures and or local councils. They encompass, for example, the rule of common and customary law. Also included are the enforceable regulators passed by executive and administrative authorities, Acts, ordinances, bylaws and regulations passed by competent and authoritative rule making institutions in the legislative, executive, administrative and judicial branches of government, constituting the body of statutory law. Laws also directly affect the policies of public resource management. Some of the influences and implications are as follows (Schwella et. al .1996:23):
• Policy and planning influences;
• System design influences;
• Implementation influence; and
• Evaluation influence.
2.4 NORMATIVE FACTORS THAT IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
community at large but In constant harmony with the community's needs and expectations.
The normative foundations that should guide public officials in the performance of their duties are inter alia (Bayat & Meyer 1994: 31 ):
• democracy;
• representativeness and responsibility;
• the rule of law;
• response to public demands.
• culture and value system
• administrative responsibility for programme effectiveness and degree of openness.
2.4.1. DEMOCRACY
According to Marx (1959:62), democracy rests on an understanding between the citizen and his government. This indicates that there are set requirements that have to be honoured by both the ruler and the subordinate. According to Stahl (1976:271), public administration at every sphere must serve the public in a manner that strengthens the integrity and processes of democratic government office in the following manner:
all citizens must be served, equally and impartially;
this must be achieved with full respect for reliance on representative institutions; and internal administration in public institutions must be consistent with these codes of conduct.
2.4.2. REPRESENTATIVENESS AND RESPONSmILITY
Representativeness indicates that in a democratic form of government, the wishes of the people are reflected in the decisions taken in their name. It is not possible for every member of society to take part in the legislative process, which is why representatives must be chosen to govern on behalf of the masses. This is normally done through the electoral process. Parliament is thus the supreme representative body of one's duties (Bayat & Meyer 1994:37).
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With representativeness comes responsibility, since office bearers not only represent the public but are also responsible for the public. In addition, the value responsibility binds the public administrative system to the supreme legislative body.
2.4.3 THE RULE OF LAW
This concept allows for the powers of government to be conditioned by law. The activities of the authorities should conform to particular ethical norms. Those in authority should exercise their authority with the trust of the people, a factor that is definitely lacking in South Africa at this stage. Public administration should take place in such a way that the "rule oflaw" prevails (Bayat & Meyer 1994:37):
• executive institutions should not be given powers that are too wide and that could go unchecked;
• all citizens are equal in the eyes of the law and are subordinate to the law; and
• courts of law should function separately from both the legislature and the executive, and judges should act as impartial protectors to ensure that the rights and freedom of individuals are guaranteed.
2.4.4 RESPONSE TO PUBLIC DEMANDS
The responsiveness of public institutions to individual problems, needs and values, as well as those of specific groups, should be increased and secured. The historical development in South Africa has resulted in imbalances among the various components of the total population. Recent changes have resulted in higher aspirations among those who have been relatively under privileged. This has created certain expectations and demands, especially in socio-economic fields such as housing education and urban infrastructure. What is important is the fact that officials should provide a satisfactory response to these needs and demands (Bayat & Meyer 1994:38).
It is crucial that public functionaries adhere to and respect the aforementioned guidelines in order to maintain confidence in government, promote professionalism and enhance service delivery to the public.
2.4.5 CULTURE AND VALUE SYSTEM
South African society has diverse cultural and traditional practices. These cultural beliefs and value systems of communities playa vital role in the daily lives of the people. What is acceptable to one segment of the population may not be acceptable to another. In preventing conflict when performing duties public administrators must, therefore, be mindful of the various cultural and traditional practices (Bayat & Meyer 1994:38).
2.4.6 ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROGRAMME EFFECTIVENESS
Programme effectiveness is an open system approach that requires public administration to be consistent equilibrium with the environment and to be functioning in harmony with the general and particular values and concepts of the community. This implies the execution of a programme in such manner that it satisfies the values and needs of individuals and the community both efficiently and effectively (Bayat & Meyer 1994:39).
Programme effectiveness requires administrative decentralisation, delegation of decision- making authority and the predetermination oflong-term objectives, short-term targets and performance standards. Furthermore, it calls for the timeous measurement and evaluation of results to determine whether they comply with the predetermined performance standards, and most important of all, whether the values and the needs of the service target group have been satisfied (Gildenhuys 1998:337).
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