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
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
2 comments:
Very Nice Blog - Well done
Not bad at all.
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