TRIF Minutes 4 May, 2010

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=30 BGCOLOR="#0066CC" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" width="100%" style=" border-left: 1px solid #3366CC;" BGCOLOR="#000066" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <B>Tulbagh Info Information</B></div> <div> TRIF Minutes 4 May, 2010</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="120" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER BGCOLOR=#0099CC HEIGHT= 15 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="local_news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tulbagh News Page 2"><U>Back to Local News</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>MINUTES OF TRIF COMMITTEE  MEETING OF </U></B><B><U>4 MAY 2010 AT 19H00 HELD AT 5 MARK  STREET,  TULBAGH </U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>PRESENT</U></B>:  John Veschini, Dieter Haumann, Chris Myburgh, Gaynor Saayman; Norman Collins,  Patrick Manuel, Wendy Upcott, Billy du Toit </div> <div> <B><U>APOLOGIES</U></B><B>:</B> Neil de Jager, Ann Myburgh,  Theo  Lombard, Patricia Noko, Tiaan Fredericks</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>WELCOME</U></B><B>: </B>The chairman, extended a warm welcome to all committee members present. Pat Manuel opened the meeting with an inspiring prayer. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:</U></B> These had been circulated via e-mail.  Proposed as a true reflection of the meeting by Gaynor Saayman and seconded by Norman Collins.  Wendy Upcott remarked however that certain remarks she had made had not been recorded.  She offered to insert them and then also précis the list of issues to be taken up with the municipality as an attachment.  Last-mentioned should also form the basis for negotiations with the municipality.  Chair agreed and asked for this to be expedited speedily in order that the minutes may be made public.  </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>MATTERS ARISING:</U></B>  Regarding issues with the municipality, Billy du Toit expressed concern over the split between water supply and reticulation, as well as whether adequate planning was taking place. </div> <div> Further to Wendy Upcott's remarks re: things that were going right, it was agreed that the graveyard is very well kept.  Gaynor Saayman remarked that response to faults reported was also good.</div> <div> Re: proposed development of 32 units near the leiwater dam, it was felt to be architecturally out of place, density too high and traffic flow will become a problem - TRIF to lodge an objection.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>MUNICIPAL BUDGET REVIEW</U></B> : </div> <div> Chair reported that he had attended two meetings (in Ceres with business fraternity and in Witzenville on 3 May) - an excellent presentation by Hennie le Roux  - have up until 25 May to comment.  Generally he felt that (likely as a result of TRIF's previous lobbying) some goals had been attained, Tulbagh is definitely on the agenda with an allocation of R 62 m for water and about R6 million for roads and other infrastructure and there appeared to be a definite new sense of sincerity and that the Municipality.  Appears to be taken the problems of Tulbagh seriously. </div> <div> <B>Some concerns:</B></div> <div> New tariff policy, but worried about implementation & allowing particularly tenants to build debt (up to 36 months)) and then penalising owner.</div> <div> Query re: capex for good governance of R700,000</div> <div> Salary scales and increases out of kilter with reality plus top heavy structure.</div> <div> Need to revise rezoning criteria & apply fairly.</div> <div> R 750,000 for Youth Centre - not addressing serious socio-economic problems & job creation (Norman Collins queried whether this was actually the responsibility of the municipality - should be DSoD).</div> <div> Need to upgrade reticulation to reduce water loss - awareness that this is a priority.</div> <div> R 6,2m allocated for roads - insufficient to address backlog.</div> <div> Housing needs very high on agenda due to influx from other provinces, yet the Municipality (as directed by Province?) has decided can only provide serviced plots.  Grave implications as connection fees beyond reach of most - means proliferation of shacks and pollution will be aggravated.  Chaos/manipulation on housing list of over 2000 people, also other towns have received far more houses over past 10 years.</div> <div> Felt not encouraging development & penalising the business community who cannot make adequate returns.</div> <div> Chair proposed to engage constructively with the municipality by setting up a meeting with the executive to present them with TRIF's queries and ask for a response within 3 months (committee felt after debate this was a reasonable time frame).  Agreed unanimously; comments to be made via Chair within the week.  </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>WAY FORWARD</U></B>: Norman Collins stated that in his view the biggest problem was the politicisation of the council, which resulted in energy being wasted instead of attending to municipal affairs.  Gaynor Saayman expressed concern that Tulbagh could become isolated without support. TRIF realises that if the Municipality played its part properly and delivered services as it should there could be benefits in a municipality with shared resources would be more appropriate? There are benefits in a shared municipality.  Wendy Upcott agreed.  </div> <bR> <div> Chair reminded the meeting that the mandate from the AGM was clear that we should fight to take the town back if we can and he (Chair) was of the belief that we can manage this town and would seek Provincial assistance where needed and funding form the same sources as the current municipality uses also. </div> <bR> <div> Chris Myburg said that our town has gone backwards (others pointed out that some of today's problems date back to poor management after 1994) and he would like to know what proportion Tulbagh ratepayers contributed to the Witzenberg amalgamated municipal budget.  Dieter Haumann expressed willingness to assist with planning processes. Dieter shared the opinion that he felt that there was no reason to fear going solo and managing our own Municipality - There will as now, be some monetary constraints.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>MEMBERSHIP</U></B><B>:    </B>Each member challenged to sign 10 others by next meeting.<B>  </B>Reminder that fees are now R50,00 per household per year plus R100 once off for affiliation to the National Ratepayers Association (if not previously paid).  Norman Collins asked to publicise via e-news.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>NEXT MEETING:</U></B>  Tuesday 8 June</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Chairperson</div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" width=28 style=" border-top: 1px solid #0066CC; border-left: 1px solid #0066CC;border-right: 1px solid #0066CC; border-bottom: 1px solid #0066CC;" BGCOLOR="#0066CC" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>