www.MyPE.co.za: To see how hard working Ward Councillors go about their jobs, see Ward 3's councillor, Andre Goosen's report below, and don't forget to see what Jeremy Davis has been up to in Ward 5, Heinrich Muller in Ward 9, Retief Odendaal in Ward 6, Stanford Slabbert in Ward 1, Gustav Rautenbach in Ward 8 and Dean Biddulph in Ward 2.

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From Councillor Andre Goosen ...

WARD 3 REPORT - June 2010

1. Housing and Land
2. Council Meeting 31 May 2010
3. Infrastructure and Engineering, Electricity and Energy
4. Budget and Treasury
5. Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture
6. Human Resources and Corporate Administration

1. Erf 1122, 169 Fordyce Road, Walmer, application for rezoning from residential 1 to special purposes to permit a Health Care facility has been approved. The refreshment area / coffee shop can only represent a maximum of 10% of the growth full space of the existing approved building plan.
2. Erf 928, 62 Main Road, Walmer has been rezoned from residential 1 to business 3 purposes with a series of conditions.
3. Erf  778, 151 Main Rd, Walmer, application to increase the SSI from 0.45 to 0.65 and also to allow a building height on the boundary has been refused.
4. Erf 360, 35 River Road, Walmer, application for rezoning from residential 1 to business 3 to permit the property to be used for medical offices has been refused.
5. The Eastern Cape Liquor Board made a presentation to the committee and it was clear that the by-law  etc. will have to be changed in order to create better contact between the Housing & Land Directorate and the Liquor Board. The presentation which be made up of two pages can be read on the hard copy in the ward 3 office.

1. Our Caucus started at 8 and continued until 10 o'clock when the council meeting started. This meeting continued until 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Numerous councillors debated matters which were right off the point of the meeting. The IDP was approved and the capital and operating projects for the various wards were tabled. These can be read on the hard copy at the ward 3 office. In essence the  IDP was approved, without full public participation, and has been reported in the press: property rates 11%, Water 12%, Sanitation 11%, Electricity 22%, Refuse 11%
2. Great concern was expressed as these increases as they could negatively impact on the development and job creation in this City.

1. Electrification of informal housing is proceeding according to plan and it is estimated that 5014 Erven will be electrified before the end of the financial year.
2. A presentation was made by the Solar Academy for Sub Saharan Afrika (SASSA) who have been appointed by Eskom to role out solar water heating in the Republic. SASSA has appointed "Majestical Star", a local company to roll-out 120 000 low pressure solar water heaters in the poor and indigent households in the NMBM. The roll-out is planned to start immediately. This project is subsidized by Eskom and thus will not cost the households or the Municipality anything.
3. In certain areas there is no lighting due to the areas not being electrified. However efforts are being made to either electrify the areas and put in post top lights and in other areas temporary floodlights are being installed ahead of the electrification process. This lighting is there to increase security and decrease crime in the areas.
4. In the report on the tarring of the gravel road it was stated that only 24% of the budget was spent at the end of April 2010. The project is been held back by EIA's.
5. As at the end of April our dams are 35.5% full and in the previous month they were 36.8% full. Fortunately the actual consumption has decreased.
6. In the report on the drinking water quality it was stated that 180 samples are taken per month and tested for 26 critical chemical elements. The SANS Q41 requires the minimum of 85% compliance. The NMBM has a 99% compliance which is maintained by correct dosage of chemicals at the treatment works. The NMBM water division was awarded a blue drop status for excellence in drinking water quality management in 2010.
7. As at the end of April 42% of the capital budget has been spent. Owing to various factors about R220 million will be carried forward to the next year. Hence the revised budget will now amount R1,462 billion and the projected expenditure will be in the order of 96% by the end of June 2010. One of our problems is that Infrastructure & Engineering is operating at less than 60% of capacity due to serious staff shortages.
8. In the report on the comparisons of various roads surfaces the officials have recommended that the communities should be given a chance to choose the type of methods to be used i.e. block paving or a premix surface on roads that are narrower than 3m. Block paving is often recommended as this is labour intensive
9. The basic water project is 100% complete (based on the backlog identified at the start of the project). The basic sanitation contract has been evaluated and it was noted that the tenders have come in at values far higher than estimated.
10. In order to deal with an improved response to water & sanitation services it is been recommended that a fully functional operational centre will be in operation quite soon.
11. Funding for ward councillor office direct telephone to water & sanitation centre is been investigated.
12. A business plan is been drafted with to investigate the implementation of external contractors to support the services of the directorate. Between 4 & 5 additional depots will be required an estimated value of R100 million.
13. In the presentation on the Integrated Public Transport System, Keith Mitchell,  outlined the programme which will be fully operational in about 12 years time. At present 24 vehicles have been delivered and the opening of the Govan Mbeki lane took place on the 30th of May 2010. At present the cash flow indicated that this transport plan will have a short fall for a number of years. One of the problems is that the taxi operators have to be guaranteed an income of R8000 per month and this will increase the annual inflation. Negotiations are still underway with various co-operatives of the various taxi forums and the bus company.
14. The National Land Transport Act (5 of 2009) has appointed the NMBM as a planning authority. The planning authority must establish an inter-modal planning committee (IPC) and it may also establish a Land Transport Advisory Board (LTAB) to advise it in relation to land transport matters. The committee has recommended that MTAB, appointed in terms of the Urban Transport Act (78 of 1977, be dis-established) and a committee nominated by the Executive Mayor comprising of Councillors and Officials investigate the advantages /disadvantages, compositions, functions and terms of reference for the establishment of the Land Transport Advisory Board and inter-modal planning committee.
15. A detailed report was presented was presented on all the capital projects for April 2010. This can be read in Ward 3 office on the hard copy.

1. In the overview of the operating budget it was shown that operating revenue was made up by: Property rates 101% of the budget; Service charges 72.3%; Rent of facilities and equipment 63%; Interest earned-external investment 23.9%; Interest earned-outstanding letters 74.1%; Fines 36.4%; Licences & permits 84.7%; Grants & subsidies 81.8%; Own revenue 69.3%. The total direct operating revenue is 76.9% i.e. R3.6 million and the budget is R5.18 million.
2. The operating expenditure in general is close to budget and is at 72% which is R3.391 million and the budget  R5.24 million.
3. The capital expenditure was R1.315 billion compared to adjustment budget of R2.912 billion. This represents a spending performance of 45.2% in relation to the adjustments budget.
4. The debtors are mainly due to households which make out 60.3% whereas business is 32.1% and government 7.6%.
5. In analysis by the directors by age of account it seems that the arrear consumer debtors above 30 days increased by R122.6 million for the year to date.
6. Creditors payments approximate 40 days which is not in line with the performance target of 30 days. The Executive Directors of the various portfolios have been requested adhere to the rapid processing of the debtors.
7. In the overview of the municipality it is shown that the cash resources available covers approximately R3. 339 of the operating expenditure.
8. The personnel cost to date is 28. 8% of the total operating income. However if annual rates will be were to be apportioned over 12 months the actual personnel cost end at 30 April 2009 will be 29.78%. The target which has been set is 34%.
9. The average collection rate from 1 July 2009 to 30 April 2010 is: 96.44% after write-offs had been taken into consideration; 92.49 before write-offs had been taken into consideration.
10. The collection rate should be 98% and the drop off in April contributed to loss of working days due to public holidays and labour action.
11. The ratio of long term debt to total fixed assets is 0.13: 1 compared to a budget target of 0.17: 1. The actual ratio indicates that the long term debt is not placing an undue burden on the municipality's fixed assets
12. In the report of the general valuation it was indicated that the initial scheduled hearings for three days a week between 4 and 8 cases has been amended and schedule is currently hearing approximately 13 cases per day.
13. In the report on the progress of the implementation of the new billing solution (Promis.Net). The officials have recommended that it not be phased in but full implementation with an extension to go live be implemented.
14. It is recommended that R2. 248 million for April 2010 be written-off in respect of households that qualifying in terms of the amended assistance to the poor policy.
15. The write-off in respect of arrear amount which are greater than 90 days and those people who qualified for ATTP in April was R6.856 million.
16. ATTP policy has been amended to allow people who are leasing property to be able to qualify for free electricity 75 KwH electricity per month. However in order to receive this free electricity the applicants will  have to confirm their financial status on a 3 monthly basis.
17. The oversight committee has recommended that the municipal manager address the inadequate internal controls which could lead to fruitless, irregular, wasteful expenditure, corruption & risk exposure. Risks had been addressed by taking the following controls in place: Risk-based audit plan had been created; A co-source service provider, Ernst & Young, will help with the procedure; A council committee has been established to consider cases of unauthorized, irregular,  fruitless and wasteful expenditure and to recommend recovery where appropriate
18. Mr Hamilton Totoyi made a presentation about the AARTO implementation which essentially boils down to drivers getting demerit points for every traffic offence. This will come to operation next year and the idea is that the fines etc. will be dealt with by AARTO. This has however been extensively reported in the press.
19. Mr Totoyi also pointed out that all the money collected for fines and compoundments, labat (a service provider), video filming private which has been terminated as well as in car camera fines should be added together for the fines which are being collected by the Traffic & Licencing Directorate.

1. In the report on the Splash 2010 event it was stated that there is an agreement between Council and the Consortium Magnetic Storm / Zports / Frontier Events. The amount paid to the Consortium to stage the event is R1.2 million per event. There is a detailed report on the Splash Event in the agenda at the ward 3 office. The overall media coverage of R29.567 million was received.
2. Zports hosted the NMB Ocean Racing Series. This year the amount sponsored was R140 000.
3. Go-Big Event has an agreement with Council to stage the summer season programmes. The amount paid to Go-Big Events is R2 million per event. The detailed report may be read on the hard copy at the ward 3 office.
4. In the report on events that failed it was stated that the Winans Concert was not a failure and the only problem was the payment after the event.
5. The proposed Beach Front Development Forum has not met and the number of Blue Flag Beaches was reduced to 3 because of environmental problems at King Beach.
6. Beaches and Resorts were allocated R2.9 million for capital development to upgrade picnic / camping facilities, surf life saving facilities, beaches tourism and upgrading the Springs Resort.
7. In the report on the development of sports facilities it was pointed out that certain contractors performed poorly and the adjudication committee has been sensitized about their performance.
8. The Mayoral Cup challenge will be an annual event with the budget of R3 million for 2010 / 11.
9. In the report of the redevelopment of Emlotheni Memorial Park which was established as a final resting place for six individuals who were executed by hanging in 1895. The memorial is to form part of the Nelson Mandela Bay "Freedom Trail"
10. The Executive Director has been requested to solicit R200 000 towards the expenses of retaining and employing two unemployed graduates to do the grave yard audit
11. The committee was informed that during the last financial year five municipal buildings were renamed although they have not yet been officially announced.
12. The Northern Areas Uprising committee has been tasked to submit a business plan stipulating the plan of action and the list of other potential funders. The programme plan for August 2010, which marks the 20th Anniversary of the Uprising, will depend on the availability of funds in the new financial year.
13. The programme for the film festival had an amount of R3, 996 million. The objectives of the development of creative Arts Centres for: Theatre; Dance; Visual art, craft, fashion & design and a Music project.
14. National Treasury has confirmed the allocation of R25 million for the development of the Red Location Cultural Centre.
15. The libraries  have identified security challenges: Slow response by our municipal security division to panic buttons. At times there is no response by the security division when the alarm is activated outside of library working hours. The contract security guards are not performing their duties as required. Valuable items such as IT infrastructure and equipment, furniture and also  cash have at times been stolen out of libraries where break-in occurs.

1. The take-away Roadhouse known as Something Good will be  advertised for expression of interest.
2. The management and maintenance of the community service centres will be taken over by facilities management sub-directorate of the corporate service directorate.
3. There was the officials report of the appointments and terminations of maintenance staff from January to March 2010. The increase in the amount appointments is due to the appointments of volunteers and law enforcements officers in the Safety & Security Directorate.
4. A draft induction policy for all employees has been approved.
5. In the report on the use of recruitment agencies for staff the committee recommended that: Contract 99 staff who qualified to be retained provided budgetary provision exists; Contract 99 staff who can be placed may be employed by the municipality; The union has confirmed that there is no legal obligation on council to pay placement fees, Corporate Services & Public Health have secured funding in the 2010 /11 operating budget to place all qualifying 99 contract staff whilst Infrastructure & Engineering directorate has secured funding to place 94 of the contract 99 staff on a permanent basis and 10 on a temporary basis
6. In accord with a SALGA (Eastern Cape) agreement a monitoring and evaluation system to include integrating HIV & AIDS into the core of the municipalities planning priorities (IDP) so that workers have greater  access to proven mechanisms in the face of the disadvantage
7. Inkanyezi Event Organisers held a Working World Extravaganza at the Feather Market Centre in March 2010. It is an annual event to recruit grade 12 learners with information and resources to assist them in making a informed career decision. This event was attended by 9889 learner from 98 schools. It is recommended that this be an annual event.
8. The committee has recommended that R1, 312 million be made available for training unemployed graduates and also experiential trainees.  These trainees remunerated at 75% of the grade 0001 namely R46,788 per annum. The committee has certain reservations about directorates who wish to retain trainees after the term of the programme system since this will detract from the new intakes.
9. The committee has to comply with the employment equity plan according to the director general recommendations. The committee has recommended that the employment equity plan for grade 1 to 11 be adopted but to be discussed with all stakeholders.
10. With a current employment status of 0.5% people with disability the NMBM does not comply with the requirements of the employment equity regulations. The committee has recommended that the NMBM enters into a joint-venture with Siyaya Skills Institute to utilize unemployed people with disabilities.
11. Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) has made a presentation on artisan development programme which was initiated to respond to increasing operations and maintenance needs in municipalities.
12. The committee has recommended that council pay for learners and drivers licences for unemployed people. The applicants must provide written proof from the perspective employer that the applicant will be employed for period not less than a year on a permanent or temporary basis.
13. The committee has recommended that when ward committees are appointed again that two of them be nominated to attend a training session for ward committee members. This training which lasts for 5 days will be to train the ward committee members on the core municipality  processes.

Best Regards


André Goosen
(Ward 3 Cllr)
Tel: 041 586 2453
Cell: 083 405 0320
E-Mail: ward3[at]mandelametro.gov.za

Ward 3 covers the following area: Walmer, Greenshields Park, Walmer Heights, Park Drive from Doncaster Rd 1st Cape Rd up to Mill Park (east side) College Drive (Grey School) N.E. Mill Rd up to Hampton Rd