Wyk 3 Junie Verslag

Inleiding

Om met u as belastingbetaler en inwoner van Wyk 3 te kommunikeer bly vir my ‘n groot probleem. In ‘n wyk waar tussen vyf tot tien duisend persone woon, is gewone pos net eenvoudig onbekostigbaar duur en onprakties as gevolg van die groot aantal vakansiehuise en persone wat verhuis. Koerante is ook nie gewillig om nuus van individuele wyke aan inwoners oor te dra nie. Alhoewel ek slegs enkelinge kan bereik deur middel van e-posbriewe, is dit ten minste ‘n manier om effektief te kommunikeer met diegene wat e-posadresse het. As u verkies dat daar nie per e-pos met u geskakel word nie moet u asseblief vir my so sê sodat ek u van my adreslys kan verwyder. Andersins kan u my baie help deur my te voorsien van e-posadresse van u vriende in wyk 3 (Wavecrest en Kabeljous) wat volgens u oordeel ook graag meer van munisipale sake te wete wil kom. Laat weet my asseblief wat u mening in hierdie verband is.

Ingevolge wetgewing is raadslede verplig om gereeld terugvoering te gee aan wyksinwoners. Onlangs is ‘n publieke begrotingsvergadering in die Newtonsaal gehou waar slegs sewe lede van die publiek teenwoordig was. Dié gebrek aan belangstelling kap my hande af want onmiddelllik word daar aangeneem dat almal in Wyk 3 tevrede is.

Ten opsigte van talle sake heers daar ‘n gees van pessimisme. Ons dorp, ons omgewing, ons gesinne en vriende is vir ons te belangrik om eenvoudig net stil te bly. Moedig u vriende en kennisse dus aan om in die toekoms verslagvergaderings en publieke vergaderings by te woon

Die 2006 munisipale verkiesing is lank reeds verby en almal is daarvan bewus dat die ANC 52.5% en die opposisiepartye 47.5% van die uitgebragte stemme in die Kouga munisipale verkiesing behaal het. Die meerderheid stemme wat die regerende party behaal het, was 2236.

Die samestelling van die raad is soos volg:
ANC................11 raadslede
DA.....................6 raadslede
OD.....................1 raadslid
Kouga 2000.....1 raadslid
KCA...................1 raadslid

Die nasionale verkiesing lê om die draai en kan enige dag aangekondig word. Moedig u vriende aan om te registreer as kieser. Die registrasiekantoor is te Humansdorp, Ons sal egter probeer om ‘n mobiele registrasiekantoor in Wyk 3 te reël.

Wykskomitee

Die doel van die wykskomitee is om deelnemende demokrasie in plaaslike regering te bevorder. Enersyds moet dit die wyksraadslid oor wyksake inlig. Andersyds moet dit kwellinge via die wyksraadslid onder die aandag van die plaaslike owerheid bring. Hierbenewens beskik dit oor magte en pligte wat deur die plaaslike owerheid daaraan toegewys word.Die volgende persone is op 25 April 2005 tot die wykskomitee vir Wyk 3 verkies: Johan Thiart, Henda Thiart, Gawie Pienaar, Pieter Gerber, Wollie Wolhuter, Marius van der Schyff, en Bennie du Preez Die volgende persone is as gekoöteerde lede aangewys: Tommie Ferreira, Annette Schubert en Norman Maasdorp.

Ek is dankbaar vir die kundigheid en entoesiasme van die wykskomiteelede. Dit moet egter vermeld word dat dit lyk asof sommige ander komitees sukkel om die mas op te kom. Dié toedrag van sake kan die oorhoofse prestasie van wyksmomitees in die Kouga nadelig beïnvloed

Kontak nietemin enige van die wykskomiteelede indien u probleme ondervind of inligting benodig.

The Munisipale Begroting – 2008/2009

Ingevolge die Wet op Munisipale Finansiële Bestuur, moet die Uitvoerende Burgemeester van die Raad die jaarlikse begroting ten minste 90 dae voor die aanvang van die begrotingsjaar tydens ‘n Raadsvergadering ter tafel lê.

Alle Rade word wetlik verplig om ‘n Geïntegreerde Ontwikkelingsplan, oftewel die Integrated Development Plan (IDP), daar te stel en om dit elke jaar te hersien. Die IDP vorm die grondslag van die jaarlikse kapitaalbegroting. Aan die ander kant weerspieël die bedryfsbegroting die uitgawes wat aangegaan sal moet word om dienslewering gedurende die jaar op peil te hou. Hierbenewens bepaal dit die eiedomsbelasting wat die fondse sal voorsien om die munisipaliteit in staat te stel om dienslewering te handhaaf

Kapitaalbegroting

Die kapitaalbegroting wat die Uitvoerende Burgemeester op 30 Mei 2008 ter tafel gelê het, toon die besteding vir die volgende drie jaar aan:
2008/2009 R97 630 000
2009/2010 R48 121 000
2010/2011 R46 000 000

Volgens die Burgemeester plaas die kapitaalbegroting die klem op infrastruktuur, dit wil sê dienste soos paaie, elektrisiteit, riolering, vullis en water.

Inkomstebegroting – 2008/2009

‘n Munisipaliteit verkry sy inkomste hoofsaaklik van die volgende dienste: belastingdiens, elektrisiteit, vullisverwydering, sanitasie en rioolverwydering, asook watervoorsiening.‘n Kort uiteensetting van die inkomstebegroting is soos volg deur die Burgemeester voorgelê:

............................Inkomste ....Uitgawe

Belastingdiens.............R83 151 000 ..R84 563 000
Elektrisiteit .................R78 595 000 ..R68 120 000
Vullisverwydering .......R34 132 000 ..R33 521 000
Sanitasie & Riool .......R26 549 000 ..R22 563 000
Water.........................R38 705 000 ..R33 779 000
Ander.........................R28 165 000 ..R46 751 000
Totaal.........................R289 297 000 ..R289 297 000

Om persentasieverhogings op die verskillende dienste aan te dui, skep gewoonlik verwarring omdat dit verskil van woning tot woning en van dorp tot dorp en verder ook na gelang van die verbruikspatroon van die inwoners. Die gemiddelde persentasie verhogings soos deur die Raad goedgekeur is egter soos volg:
Eiendomsbelasting 6%
Elektrisiteit 14.2%
Vullisverwydering 8%
Sanitasie & Riool 8%
Water 6%

Waarvan u egter kennis behoort te neem is dat die goedgekeurde omgewingsbestuursheffing (EMF) voortaan R25 per maand per huiseienaar/besigheidsperseel meer sal kos. Die EMF word hoofsaaklik aangewend om stortingsterreine te rehabiliteer en behoorlik volgens ‘n bestuursplan te bestuur.

InfrastruktuurU wykskomitee is bekommerd oor die infrastuktuur in Wyk 3. Alle dienste soos strate, watervoorsiening, riolering, elektrisiteitsvoorsiening en stormwaterdreinering, het dringende opgradering nodig.

Die algehele toestand van teerstrate in die wyk is swak. Daar is egter fondse op die begroting voorsien vir die herseël van strate in die Kougagebied. Verskeie klagtes word ontvang weens die swak kwaliteit van herstelwerk.

‘n Verdere saak wat dringende aandag moet kry, is ‘n oorlaaistasie. Die feit dat geen stortingsterrein in Jeffreysbaai beskikbaar is nie, bring mee dat stortings op oop terreine gedoen word. Dit is totaal ongewens. Ook in hierdie geval kan gerapporteer word dat ‘n oorlaaistasie op die 2008/09-begroting van die stadsraad is.

Ontwikkeling in Jeffreysbaai

Ontwikkeling in Jeffreysbaai gaan ongekend voort en ‘n mens vra waarheen is alles op pad? Wel, ons moet seker aanvaar dat die ontwikkelaars goeie marknavorsing gedoen het. Volgens planne is daar nog meer as tien duisend erwe in die pyplyn.

Grondverkope
Die verkoop van grond is ‘n teer saak vir baie belastingbetalers omdat hulle beweer dat hulle hul spesifieke eiendom weens die nabyheid van onbeboude grond en ‘n see-uitsig gekoop het.

Die verkoop van die Jeffreysbaai-gholfbaan is op die oomblik nog op die agtergrond. U moet nietemin kennis neem van nuwe geintegreerde behuisingsinisiatiewe. Daar blyk ‘n dringendheid by die Raad te wees om laerkostebehuising met duurder behuising te integreer. Hoe wyk 3 hierdeur beinvloed gaan word is nog nie duidelik nie.

Ander belangrike sake
1. Die Raad het onlangs twee nuwe direkteure aangestel. Hulle is mnr. Fred Dennis (Direkteur, Stadsbeplanning) en mnr. Mxube (Direkteur, Gemeenskapsake).
2.‘n “Names Committee” is onlangs vir Cacadu in Port Elizabeth ingehuldig. U kan dus verwag dat daar eerdaags van naamsverandering in ons gebied sprake sal wees.
3. Wees asseblief daarvan verseker dat aangeleenthede soos slaggate, begroeide sypaadjies en oop ruimtes gereeld by die betrokke munisipale departemente aangemeld word. In geval van water- en kragonderbrekings word inwoners aangeraai om direk met die betrokke munisipale department in verbinding te tree. Indien u egter ‘n onbevredigende reaksie kry, kan u met my in verbinding tree.
4. Alhoewel Eedenglen deel is van Wyk 8, is baie inwoners nog steeds in Wyk 3 geregistreer.

Ten slotte
Ek vertrou ook dat u begrip sal hê vir my posisie as raadslid en sal besef dat ‘n raadslid in terme van ‘n gedragskode daartoe verbind is “om te alle tye in die beste belang van die Raad op te tree, op so ‘n wyse dat die Raad se geloofwaardigheid nie ondermyn sal word nie”.

Ons het almal wysheid vir die toekoms nodig!!! Soos Norman Nel gesê het: “Wisdom is to have the appropriate knowledge for a specific set of circumstances at a given point in time. But it also includes the right frame of mind. Intelligence and spiritual attitude go hand in hand in the exercise of wisdom”

My telefoonnommer is 042-296-2215 en my e-posadres is nnf@telkomsa.net.

Dankie vir u ondersteuning.

Nico Botha

June 2008 Ward 3 Report

Introduction

It remains a problem for me to communicate with you as a taxpayer and resident of Ward 3. Ordinary post is simply not a viable option in a ward consisting of five to ten thousand residents. Moreover, when considering the cost of postage to reach the owners of holiday homes, the expense becomes prohibitive. Newspapers are not an option because they are reluctant to carry news about individual wards and residents. Although I can only reach a limited number of individuals by means of email, it is nonetheless a fairly effective means of communication. Please let me know If you prefer not to receive my emails. If you have no objection, please send me the email addresses of your friends and acquaintances residing in Ward 3 (Wavecrest and Kabeljous), who may be interested in being informed about municipal matters.

In terms of legislation, councillors are required to provide regular feedback to ward residents. However, only seven persons attended a recent meeting in the Newton Hall to explain the municipal budget. This apparent lack of interest is problematic because it is then assumed that everyone in Ward 3 is satisfied with the budget.

A widespread feeling of pessimism regarding many issues has beset the people of Ward 3. Our town and its environment, our families and friends are too important to remain silent about the things that are wrong. So, please encourage your friends and acquaintances to attend future report back and other public meetings.

The 2006 Kouga municipal election has long since come and gone. Everyone knows that the ANC acquired 52.5% of the vote and opposition parties, 47.5%. The ANC had won by 2236 votes.

The council is made up as follows:
ANC 11 councillors
DA 6 councillors
ID 1 councillor
Kouga 2000 1 councillor
KCA 1 councillor

The national election is imminent and may be announced at any time. Please encourage your friends and acquaintances to register as voters. The registration office is in Humansdorp. However, we will try to arrange for the placement of a mobile registration office in Ward 3.

Ward Committees

The object of ward committees is to enhance participatory democracy in local government and their functions are, amongst others, to make recommendations on any matter affecting its ward to the ward councillor; or through the ward councillor, to the local council, and has such duties and powers as the local council may delegate to it.

At a public meeting held on 25th April 2006 at the Kabeljous Hall, the following persons were elected to serve as ward committee members for Ward 3: Johan Thiart, Henda Thiart, Gawie Pienaar, Pieter Gerber, Wollie Wolhuter, Marius van der Schyff, and Bennie du Preez. The following were co-opted to serve on the committee: Tommie Ferreira, Annette Schubert en Norman Maasdorp.

I am thankful for all the expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm of the Ward 3 committee members, but it needs to be mentioned that it seems to me that some other committees are having an uphill battle to perform effectively. This may influence the overall performance of ward committees in the Kouga. Nonetheless, do not hesitate to contact ward committee members if you have a problem or need information

The Municipal Budget – 2008/2009

In terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act, the Executive Mayor of the Council must table the annual budget at a council meeting at least 90 days before the start of the budget year.

All councils have by legislation an obligation to prepare and review annually the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The IDP forms the basis of the annual capital budget. On the other hand, the operating budget reflects the costs to be incurred to maintain service delivery in the forthcoming year and determines the required rates and tariffs in order to provide the municipality with the income to sustain service delivery.

Capital Budget – 2008/2009

The capital budget tabled on 30 May 2008 by the Executive Mayor, reflects the following spending for the next three years:
2008/2009 R97 630 000
2009/2010 R48 121 000
2010/2011 R46 000 000

According to the Mayor, the focus of the capital budget was on infrastructure, i.e. for services such as roads, electricity, sewerage, refuse and water

Income Budget – 2008/2009

A municipality chiefly derives its income from the following services: tax service, electricity, refuse removal, sanitation and sewerage removal, as well as water provision.

The Mayor provided the following brief explanation of the income budget:

Income Expenditure

Tax service R83 151 000 R84 563 000
Elektricity R78 595 000 R68 120 000
Refuse removal R34 132 000 R33 521 000
Sanitation & sewerage R26 549 000 R22 563 000
Water R38 705 000 R33 779 000
Other R28 165 000 R46 751 000
Total R289 297 000 R289297 000

To indicate percentage increases with regard to the different services usually creates confusion because it differs from home to home and from town to town. The consumption patterns of residents also have an effect. The average percentage of the increases as approved by the municipal council is as follows:
Property tax 6%
Electricity 14.2%
Refuse removal 8%
Sanitation & sewerage 8%
Water 6%

It should be noted that Environmental Management Levy has been increased by R25 per residence/owner/business stand. Its purpose is to rehabilitate refuse dumps and to manage them in terms of a management plan.

Infrastructure

Your ward committee is concerned about the infrastructure in Ward 3. All services such as streets, water provision, sewerage, electricity supply and storm water drainage require urgent upgrading.

The condition of tarred streets in the ward is poor. However, funds have been provided in the budget for resealing streets in the Kouga area. A number of complaints have been received about the poor quality of repair work.
A further matter requiring attention is a refuse transfer station. The fact that Jeffreys Bay does not have a refuse dump results in refuse being dumped on vacant stands, which, of course, is totally unacceptable. In this regard it may also be reported that a transfer station has been placed on the 2008/09 municipal budget.

Development in Jeffreys Bay

Jeffreys Bay continues to develop rapidly and one may well ask whether there is an end in sight. Well, I suppose we must assume that the property developers have done their market research. According to plans there are ten thousand or more stands in the pipeline.

Land sales
The sale of land (open spaces and other municipal land) is a sensitive issue for many ratepayers, in the sense that they (the ratepayers) claim that they bought their specific property because of the nearby open land and sea views. The sale of the Jeffreys Bay golf course is on the backburner at present. Nonetheless, you must take note of new initiatives with regard to integrated housing. The municipal council is apparently anxious to integrate low cost housing with more expensive housing. At present it is not known how Ward 3 will be affected by this.

Other Important Matters
1. Council recently appointed two new directors. They are Mr. Fred Dennis (Director of Town Planning), and Mr Mxube (Director of Community Services).
2. Names Committee: It should be noted that a “name change” committee was recently inaugurated for the Cacadu area in Port Elizabeth. So, please expect some name changes in our area soon.
3. Please be assured that matters such as potholes, overgrown sidewalks and open spaces are regularly brought to the attention of the appropriate municipal departments. In the event of water and power interruptions, residents are advised to contact the relevant municipal department directly. However, if a satisfactory response is not forthcoming, residents may contact me directly.
4. It should be noted that Eedenglen forms part of Ward 8. However, many residents are still registered in Ward 3.

In closing
I trust that you will understand that, as your councillor, I am bound by a code of ethics, which requires me at all times “to act in the best interest of the council in such a way that the council’s credibility is not compromised” Therefore I may not make unfounded allegations or statements.

We all certainly need wisdom for the future!!! Normal Nel said, “Wisdom is to have the appropriate knowledge for a specific set of circumstances at a given point in time. But it also includes the right frame of mind. Intelligence and spiritual attitude go hand in hand in the exercise of wisdom.”

My telephone number is 042-296-2215, and my e-mail address is nnf@telkomsa.net.

Thanking you for your support.

Nico Botha