Eighteen months ago many residents were concerned about local government’s finances, municipal accounts, service delivery shortfalls, etc. There were even rumours that Prince Albert Municipality was facing bankruptcy.

But a lot has changed since then and this Association has been assured that municipal finances are sound and healthy. The number of queries pertaining to municipal accounts has dropped dramatically, although there are always bound to be a few. Residents are paying their accounts regularly for the most part and a number have made arrangements to ‘catch up.’ The letter of demand that went out a few months ago referring to unpaid/overdue accounts – puzzling to some and offensive to others – has apparently had a positive effect... the municipality’s cashflow has improved considerably!

Those who do not/ have not paid their electricity accounts, after notification, are cut off at the rate of up to 100 homes and businesses a month. Tough times are affecting many people, and there have been a few prosecutions for electricity theft. The ideal situation would be for every resident to have a pre-paid electricity meter installed and even a pay-as-you go water meter system. This would make administration easier and minimise losses.

Electricity outages are still a problem from time to time, but as is well known the equipment is old, (spares have to be custom-made and can’t be bought off the shelf) and sometimes it is not our Municipality’s fault but that of ESKOM.

Anybody who visits the rubbish dump will agree that it is (a) not a pretty sight and (b) filling up rapidly. The Municipal Manager, Mr Heinrich Mettler, has informed the Association that in the new financial year – which began on 1 July 2012 – certain machinery will be repaired and used for the vastly improved management of the dump.

The management of the water supply and the quality of our drinking water have been given high marks (on the Blue Drop scale) and we are assured that what comes out of our taps is potable by any standards. The sewage plant is working well and with the strong sunlight in our area, results are satisfactory and also measure up well to ‘Green Drop’ standards.

The Thusong Centre, standing empty and incomplete, at the North end of town is viewed by some as a ‘white elephant.’ It certainly has had its delays but will hopefully come into operation in the very near future. Whereas the Municipality owns the two building on either side of ABSA Bank, the Thusong Centre will operate on a conditional grant, bringing state departments to the community. And there are also plans for job creation projects to be funded by national government.

Municipal accounts and rates will be payable at both the present finance office and the Thusong Centre. Social Services and the office for All-Pay will be located there and a community learning centre is planned. At some stage Home Affairs may also have an office in those premises though, for now, demand does not warrant it and a twice-a-month visit by a mobile ‘office’ serves the needs of the community.