The effectiveness of integrated planning for service delivery and economic growth

Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Integrated Development Plan (lDP) as a tool to accelerate service delivery and economic growth. The study is guided by the objectives below: • Investigate the implementation of the municipal Integrated Development Plan (IDP) • Establish the problems faced by the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) • Evaluate the level of participation of the public • Determine the improvement of service delivery brought about by the Integrated Development Plan (lDP) • Assess the level of skills and capacity of municipal officials and their knowledge, understanding and readiness, for implementation of a successful effective IDP to accelerate service delivery • Recommend effective ways to accelerate service delivery, poverty alleviation, job creation and economic growth through the IDP. The study achieved the objectives desired through questionnaires. The study is empirical and uses a qualitative methodology. The study is empirical, and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. The major findings of the study are that: problems such as finance and politics, centralization of authority, lack of skilled and trained IDP employees, limited public participation, and lack of progress on service delivery, economic development, poor infrastructure and poor implementation of IDP are the main problems plaguing the delivery of effective and efficient IDP to address service delivery. Some of the mam recommendations from the researcher to the municipality in discussion are: Training, skilling and development of municipal employee, Effective management, budgeting and planning Promotion of social and economic development and encouragement of public participation through SMMEs, BEE but most important, effective implementation of IDP policies.