Dealing with concerns from members in the interest of the broader community The Association takes up issues when a member has exhausted all 'legal' channels in an attempt at a resolution. Relevant paperwork (letters, copies of emails, etc) is handed to the Association and after proper scrutiny of the facts the Executive Committee (Ex Co) raises the matter with the Municipal Manager and follows it to a satisfactory conclusion. Ex Co meets at least once a month and members who would like to raise their questions or concerns directly are welcome to attend a meeting and put their 'case' forward presenting all the necessary 'paper trail' at the same time. The Secretary, André Goosen, must be advised in good time, though, to ensure that time is allocated on the agenda. Ex Co also takes up issues in the interest of the broader community whenever it sees or hears of a need. The following concerns/issues have been raised by members and Ex Co and are either on the Ex Co's Agenda or that of the Municipal Manager. Q: Council's pay increase (Jan 2010) with back pay to July in spite of the fact that the municipality is a few million in the red. A: Pedro Oliphant, Acting MM, told us that the council payment issue was as a result of a SALGA instruction in a letter a copy of which was mailed to the Association and is posted on the 'Informative documents' page of this website under the title Upper limits of salaries, allowances & benefits of councillors. (The letter certainly challenges comprehension and gives the layperson a frightening insight into the world of local government gobbledegook.) Oliphant went on to say that the Council decision was sent to the MEC and had been approved. He also said that the increase would have no effect on the current budget and invited us to speak to Jannie Neethling the CFO about this when he gets back from leave. Q: Appointment of additional staff (Jan 2010) during December despite the fact that the current budget was R2.5m overspent in the first 4-month period. A: Pedro Oliphant, Acting MM, said that four security guards were appointed under the poverty alleviation programme - on a "temporary pilot basis" to guard the two sets of municipal buildings (on either side of the road and ABSA) out of office hours. He said that money for these posts has been provided for in the CFO's recovery plan. One front office lady, he said, was appointed to fill a vacant post. Q: The Mayor’s discretionary fund (Jan 2010) why was it used to paint someone's house and what was the cost? Q: Appointment of security guards (Dec 2010):
Q: The appointment of cleaners (Dec 2010) - apparently the appointment of cleaners during December was not put out to tender and the same number of cleaning staff has been appointed in both Klaarstroom, with 500 residents and Prince Albert with 10 000 residents
Q: Tourism funding decision (Dec 2010) - It doesn’t make sense given that we are half way through the financial year that not a cent of the R230 000 allocated in the Municipal budget for tourism has been spent. The question is, what are they going to do with the money - which will have to be used by the end of June 2011?
Q: Valuation and clearance certificates (Dec 2010) why does it take so long for Donovan to issue them?
Q: Harassment of farmer (Nov 2010) - Why is a farmer being 'harassed' for carrying out agricultural activities on land zoned for this purpose? There will be costs involved. The farmer will be recovering all his costs and expenses incurred as a result of the continued harassment. His attorney is already working on it.
A - According to the Municipal Manager, Juanita Fortuin, the case is complicated as even in agriculturally zoned areas there are a bylaws, e.g. animal pens may only be erected xx metres away from a residential building and xx metres from the property boundary. At an MM's meeting on 6th December Pedro Oliphant (then Community Services Officer) reported that no legal costs would be incurred.
Q: Illegal Hawkers (Nov 2010) - especially on the pavements, do they have permits to sell, do they pay for stands?
A - Pedro Oliphant, Community Services Officer reported that council had constructed special places at Sidwell Williams for hawkers. He said that the municipality has the authority to move hawkers but had not done so yet.
Q: Zoning infringement (Nov 2010) - A business is being operated in a residential area.
A - A notice was published in the December issue of the Friend calling for objections. In a letter from the Municipal Manager in December the business was advised that it could not open again until the council had met on 27th January 2011 to discuss the Consent Use application.
Q: Zoning infringements (Nov 2010) - What procedures does the Municipality have in place for dealing with zoning infringements? And what is the best course of action for our members to take when bringing such infringements to the Municipality's attention.
Q: Ward committees (Nov 2010) there is a lack of information. Who represents which areas? When did they last meet? When will they meet next?
Q: Excess staff on garbage trucks (Nov 2010) – why so many people (six counted) on truck?
Q: Unpreparedness of PAM to deal with crises (Nov 2010) an eyewitness reported on the recent pipe burst in De Beer St
Q: Large-scale use of municipal vehicles for private use (Nov 2010)
Q: Control of work-teams (Nov 2010) PAM needs to plan itself out of the inefficient mode in which it now operates
Q: Community Services Manager (Oct 2010) what progress is being made on filling the position?
Q: Roads & services for Waterkop development (Oct 2010)
Q: Alien Cacti on the Koppie (Oct 2010) - the matter was raised two months ago
Q: Municipal accounts (Oct 2010) – when is the new account layout due to be put into action?
Q: Re-hiring poor performing staff (Oct 2010)– what is the municipality's policy on re-hiring staff who have left its employ under a cloud?
Q: Water usage (Oct 2010) how is the Municipality handling the water situation in Prince Albert?
Q: Sewage tank fees (Aug 2010)
A: Notice will go out with the accounts to explain the fees for emptying sewage tanks [Kennisgewing uitgaan met rekeninge om suigtenk heffing te verduidelik]
Q: Municipality creditors (Jul 2010) is the Municipality paying its bills timeously
A: “Yes” said CFO, Jannie Neethling, hulle, “word stiptelik betaal.”
Q: Illegal signage (Jul 2010) there are loads of illegal signs around town what is the Municipality doing about removing them?
A: Letters have been sent and will be followed up said MM, Juanita Fortuin.
Q: Auditor General’s Report (Jul 2010) where do we stand?
Q: Green Drop campaign (Jul 2010) - Where do we stand?
Q: Youth Budget (June 2010)
A: The MM advised that there was no Youth Budget as such and that 'youth/gender/unemployed' issues are integrated
Q: Municipal accounts (Jun 2010)
A: Jannie Neethling, CFO, said they are meeting the designer (next Thursday?) He advised that there is no rebate for pre-payment and agreed to produce figures for 90-day debtors over 3 years
Q: Area/Ward Committees (June 2010)
A: The MM said, “We are not functioning the Councillors need admin support” she went on to say that they had been given 40% of the four Community Development Workers' time.
Q: Poor response to correspondence (June 2010)
A: The MM said, “Ons is nie goed nie; ek aanvaar die opvolgwerk word gedoen.” [We are not good, I recognise that and follow up work is being done.]
Of course there are many more issues that Ex Co has dealt with but far too many to list here adequately.
The Association can only take up issues from members of PA Ratepayers' & Residents' Association. If you're not a member yet, call Hugh Forsyth on 023 5411 514 or send an email to pa.rra@iafrica.com for more information.
Annual membership is just R20.
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