The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Sol Plaatje views the budget tabled in council today as a budget of missed opportunities and miscalculations that will slow the progress required to move the municipality forward.
Although some effort was taken to include matters raised by the public, like buying two new Jetvac trucks to address sanitation needs, not enough money is allocated to fix historical infrastructure problems. The municipality’s own calculations show that it did not allocate enough to complete work on the second phase of the Carters Ridge sewerage network, which has serious implications for developments in the area.
The state of Sol Plaatje’s roads are an obstacle to growth. Residents must drive on the wrong side of the street to avoid potholes and deal with ever increasing costs of living while ensuring they can pay for burst tires and damaged rims. Roads are the veins through which the lifeblood of our economy flows, yet the budget for maintenance was slashed.
We question if residents will derive real benefit from the agreement with the Northern Cape Department of Roads & Public Works. This agreement will supposedly secure R150 million’s worth of street signs, pothole repairs, and assistance with stormwater systems. But the department owes Sol Plaatje approximately R700 million, which means we could have done four times as much if the department paid us what we are owed.
This is one of many missed opportunities to increase revenue collection. Shortcomings in municipal indigent policy means the municipality loses out on revenue and on a larger portion of the equitable share. Fast-tracking new by-laws, implementing existing regulations and issuing fines for illegal dumping, illegal buildings, and the illegal operation of almost a thousand tuck shops without permits could reduce the burden of higher tariffs imposed on residents.
We were told that the introduction of a basic charge and capacity charge would result in reduced yearly tariff increases and less cross-subsidisation of businesses by struggling residents. It seems that the municipality is reluctant to really tackle this issue, while residents in old age homes and residential complexes are being charged nearly R6 per unit. We are waiting to hear what steps will be taken to rectify this.
The DA will fulfil our oversight responsibility to ensure that this limited budget will be spent wisely and fully to improve the lives of residents.