PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers Association is applying a new strategy in its approach to the municipality.
"We've changed the way we work," said Tony Blignaut, the new chairperson, to attendees of the annual general meeting on Thursday 26 February.
"Rather than launch legal action against the municipality in which the defence of such actions by the municipality are eventually paid by ratepayers, the association would be concentrating its efforts on individuals who would be held personally liable."
Blignaut said the good news and a game changer for organisations like the Ratepayers came in the National Budget that signalled a fundamental shift in how local government will be managed.
The government is moving from a role of "oversight" to one of "active structural intervention" to address he fact that 63% of municipalities are in financial distress.
Reforms
Key reforms that will impact the community include:
- Performance-linked funding for municipalities who must now prove financial transparency and management accountability to access these grants.
- Revenue ring-fencing: A new utility model will legally require municipalities to ring-fence water and electricity revenue.
- The Split Delivery Model: For failing municipalities, Treasury will now bypass local councils and use agents like the Development Bank of Southern Africa to deliver infrastructure.
- Professionalising leadership: The Public Service Amendment Bill will be used to ensure technical departments are led by qualified professionals rather than political appointees.
The focus of the AGM was on water and anything that affects the water situation, such as the "rampant" development.
"As I constantly remind myself, we live in a paradise, and there is a lot to be thankful for," Blignaut reflected.
The new chairperson thanked his predecessors who, since 2018, had done much groundwork.
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