GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - It took a little longer than usual, but Garden Route District Council managed to "Zoom" through a full agenda, producing a full day's work during a special council meeting on Monday.
Councillors from Riversdale, Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay, Knysna and Bitou met via the Zoom app from their respective council chambers and conference facilities, while Speaker Barnie Groenewald and a handful of local representatives settled for the chambers at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM).
The electronic meeting was praised by ANC Chief Whip Piet van der Hoven who said though it is a learning curve for all, the meeting was "state of the art".
Food bank
The Garden Route District Municipality intends to establish a District Food Bank to alleviate the social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mayor Memory Booysen called it a multi-municipality project.
The focus will be on centralising and coordinating food donation and distribution to the district's most affected communities. The programme will be funded by the seven B-municipalities within the region and sponsors such as farmers, food processors, a grant from Western Cape Provincial administration, and residents.
The start-up cost for this project still has to be determined, as well as a facility to run the project.
Regional landfill site
The starting date for construction will be delayed by up to four months, subject to the alleviation of the lockdown. Meanwhile, GRDM requested an extension of the existing disposal contracts between PetroSA and the four municipalities of Bitou, Knysna, George and Mossel Bay, since the contracts came to an end on 30 April. PetroSA has granted an extension until 31 January 2021.
Back in Bitou. From left are DA Councillor Anne Windvogel, Chief of Staff Siphiwe Dladla, Mayor Memory Booysen and ANC Councillor Mputumi Mapitiza.
Titbits
Garden Route Disaster Management manager Gerhard Otto, who attended the meeting on his birthday, Municipal Manager Monde Stratu and staff were applauded for their sterling work.
The budget, the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) and the Performance Management System (PMS) plan that had been revised due to the pandemic, were approved.
The GRDM disaster centre submitted a request for disaster grant funding to the value of R1 120 674.
Council supports the intention to promote economic growth through coordinated regional bulk electricity generation and distribution, ensuring energy security. Municipal Manager Monde Stratu will enter into an Memorandum of Agreement with the service provider, InovaSure, and local municipalities will be approached to support this initiative.
DA councillors of the GRDM are not obliged to make additional contributions to the national Solidarity Fund. According to Booysen it is voluntary, and contributions have already been made by the DA on behalf of all its councillors.
From left are committee officer Rehana Matthews, Speaker Barnie Groenewald and Sinekaya Maqekeni (manager: Integrated Support Services and Legal Compliance).
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