Business, Commerce and Management Studies Public Administration

Local Government Planning Functions Explained Training

SAQA US 244302 | NQF 3 | Credits 8 | Duration 5 Days
From $1,242 per delegate

Description

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the planning functions of local government in South Africa. Participants will explore the legislative framework, institutional structures, and processes that guide municipal planning, including integrated development plans (IDPs), spatial planning, and sectoral planning. The course equips learners with the knowledge to contribute effectively to municipal planning processes and to understand the role of planning in promoting sustainable local development.

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the legislative and policy framework governing local government planning in South Africa.
  • Describe the key components of an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and its role in municipal planning.
  • Analyze the relationship between spatial planning, land use management, and sectoral planning within local government.
  • Apply the principles of cooperative governance and public participation in the planning process.
  • Evaluate the role of performance management and monitoring in achieving planning objectives.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the financial and resource implications of municipal planning.

Target Audience

This course is designed for municipal officials, councillors, community development workers, and professionals in the public sector who are involved in or affected by local government planning. It is also suitable for individuals seeking to understand the planning framework of South African municipalities.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, basic knowledge of South African government structures is beneficial.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Local Government Planning

Objectives:
• Understand the constitutional and legislative framework for local government planning in South Africa.
• Identify the key role players and their responsibilities in municipal planning.
• Differentiate between strategic, spatial, and sectoral planning.
• Recognise the importance of integrated development planning.

Topics:
• Overview of the South African local government system.
• Constitutional mandate for local government planning.
• Key legislation: Municipal Systems Act, Municipal Structures Act, Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act.
• Roles of municipal councils, officials, and communities.
• Types of planning: strategic, spatial, sectoral, and operational.
• Introduction to the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).
• Intergovernmental relations in planning.

Day 2: Integrated Development Planning Process

Objectives:
• Describe the IDP process and its phases.
• Analyse community participation mechanisms in IDP.
• Explain how IDP aligns with national and provincial plans.
• Identify the components of a credible IDP.

Topics:
• The IDP cycle: analysis, strategies, projects, integration, and approval.
• Community participation: IDP representative forums, ward committees, public hearings.
• Alignment with National Development Plan and Provincial Growth and Development Strategies.
• Key IDP components: situational analysis, vision, objectives, strategies, projects.
• IDP review and amendment processes.
• Linking IDP to budgeting and performance management.

Day 3: Spatial Planning and Land Use Management

Objectives:
• Understand the principles of spatial planning in local government.
• Describe the role of Spatial Development Frameworks (SDF).
• Explain land use management and zoning schemes.
• Identify the relationship between spatial planning and IDP.

Topics:
• Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) principles.
• Development of Municipal Spatial Development Frameworks.
• Land use schemes: zoning, land use rights, and development controls.
• Land use management applications and appeals.
• Integration of spatial planning with IDP.
• Informal settlements upgrading and land reform.

Day 4: Sectoral and Operational Planning

Objectives:
• Identify key sectoral plans required by legislation.
• Explain how sectoral plans feed into the IDP.
• Understand operational planning for municipal departments.
• Describe performance management in planning.

Topics:
• Sectoral plans: Housing, Water Services, Transport, Disaster Management, Environmental Management.
• Integration of sectoral plans into IDP.
• Operational plans: departmental business plans, service delivery plans.
• Performance management: Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP).
• Monitoring and evaluation of plans.
• Reporting on planning outcomes.

Day 5: Planning Implementation, Monitoring, and Review

Objectives:
• Understand the implementation process of municipal plans.
• Describe monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Explain the annual review and adjustment of plans.
• Analyse case studies of planning successes and challenges.

Topics:
• Implementation of IDP projects and programmes.
• Monitoring: performance indicators, dashboards, and reporting.
• Evaluation: impact assessment and lessons learned.
• Annual review of IDP and budget alignment.
• Challenges in local government planning: capacity, funding, political interference.
• Case studies: best practices and lessons from South African municipalities.
• Future trends: smart cities, climate change adaptation.

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 07 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 28 Sep 2026 Fri 02 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 19 Oct 2026 Fri 23 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 07 Dec 2026 Fri 11 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 11 Jan 2027 Fri 15 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 15 Feb 2027 Fri 19 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,242 Register
Mon 01 Mar 2027 Fri 05 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
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Mon 15 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,242 Register
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Mon 28 Jun 2027 Fri 02 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,242 Register
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Mon 18 Oct 2027 Fri 22 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 06 Dec 2027 Fri 10 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 27 Dec 2027 Fri 31 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
Mon 17 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,242 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 492 sessions across 26 venues
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Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Durban, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,916 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Abu Dhabi, UAE Winter 2026 $5,238 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,863 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $5,238 Register
Mon 10 Aug 2026 Fri 14 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $3,078 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 14 Sep 2026 Fri 18 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 05 Oct 2026 Fri 09 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 26 Oct 2026 Fri 30 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Dec 2026 Fri 18 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 18 Jan 2027 Fri 22 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 22 Feb 2027 Fri 26 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,615 Register
Mon 08 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Fri 19 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 22 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Fri 18 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 05 Jul 2027 Fri 09 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 26 Jul 2027 Fri 30 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Sep 2027 Fri 17 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 04 Oct 2027 Fri 08 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 25 Oct 2027 Fri 29 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Fri 17 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 03 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Fri 28 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,615 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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