Premier
Question by Hon Minnen
In relation to the performance targets of Western Cape Government departments:
(a) What measures are in place to ensure that the targets are aligned with government priorities, (b) what is the process followed to rectify the underachievement of targets, (c) how often are targets reviewed and adjusted by departments, (d) how does the (i) available budget and (ii) in-year budget cuts affect the setting or adjustment of targets and (e) what was the Western Cape Government’s average performance target achievement rate in the last financial year?
(a) The Policy and Strategy Unit within the Department of the Premier leads an annual cycle of assessing the draft submissions of Annual Performance Plans (APPs) wherein the degree to which the targets identified are aligned with and contribute to the strategic priorities identified in the Provincial Strategic Plan. Working closely with the planning managers in Departments, Policy and Strategy provides feedback on all three drafts of the APP to steadily improve the alignment of targets to the Provincial strategic priorities.
(b) The Provincial Data Office (PDO) within the Department of the Premier manages the quarterly and annual non-financial performance reporting process across the Western Cape Government (WCG) departments and Public Entities. All concerns relating to performance, including matters relating to under achievements, are raised with institutions to address and to provide reasons for such deviations. This reporting process occurs quarterly via an electronic Quarterly Performance Reporting System (eQPRS).
The PDO, in collaboration with the Provincial Treasury, issue an Integrated Provincial Quarterly Performance Release via the Provincial Cabinet to the Budget Committee in Provincial Parliament. This performance data provides insights to those with an oversight function to engage institutions on underperformance.
(c) The review of targets in terms of their progress happens during the quarterly reporting process. However, adjustments occur once in a financial year. Departments attend to in-year changes to performance indicators and targets in their Annual Performance Plans during the budget adjustment process facilitated in November. The in-year change process for the indicators and targets is managed by the Department of the Premier in collaboration with the Provincial Treasury in alignment with the annual adjustment process. Adjustments to APPs are also tabled in Parliament by each respective Executive Authority.
(d) Financial constraints caused by budget cuts could impact APP performance indicator targets. As explained in question (c) above, departments and public entities attend to in-year changes to performance indicators and targets in their approved Annual Performance Plans during the budget adjustment process in November of each financial year. These adjustments are also related to Parliament for oversight purposes.
(i) The available budget is one of the determining factors that influences the target setting.
(ii) In-year budget cuts could potentially lead to a downward adjustment to departmental targets.
(e) The non-financial performance achievement rate for the Western Cape Government for 2023/24 is summarised as follows:
- 13 Departments = average of 91% achieved, with a total of 758 performance indicators
- 11 Public Entities = average of 81% achieved, with a total of 152 performance indicators
