Update on Camps Bay Street Children and Vagrancy Initiatives

As Ian mentioned in his recent newsletter, we have been working hard to address the issues we have experienced lately with increasing numbers of street children in the area, as well as continuing our efforts to reduce the numbers of adult vagrants in Camps Bay and Clifton through our ongoing community initiative with the Haven Night Shelter set up and run by the Camps Bay Business Forum.

Whilst the recent problems with street children have been of particular concern, I must firstly say that we should not lose sight of the ongoing successes of our Haven initiative, with over 130 adult vagrants to date having been assisted off the streets of Camps Bay and Clifton since the project was set up in 2012. Over this past season Ricardo Beukes our dedicated Auxiliary Social Worker from the Haven formally placed 26 more people into a shelter home in the City, dealt with a further 50 child related matters (including mothers with babies) and Ricardo had an estimated 180 interventions with vagrants, as well as assisting several vagrants urgently into hospital or psychiatric care.   

What I can now say, which I think we should be very proud of as a community, is that anyone living rough on our streets really does not need to do so anymore, and those willing to move off the streets are generally helped into a Haven Shelter by Ricardo the same day and rarely return to Camps Bay again. This works particularly well with new arrivals, for instance, every one of the 14 new vagrants who appeared in Camps Bay in December moved into a Haven Shelter the same month. So one can only imagine how much bigger our vagrancy problem would have been by now without our initiative, thinking of the 130+ vagrants we have already helped move off the streets!  

So why then with such a great community initiative DO we still have a significant vagrancy issue in Camps Bay and Clifton, and why we have we had an increasing issue with street children?

There are I believe 3 main reasons –

1. We need to stop supporting vagrancy in our community!
All of the many social workers, NGO’s and others I work with on a daily basis on this initiative repeatedly tell me that by far and away the biggest single reason both adult vagrants and children are so attracted to Camps Bay and Clifton is simply because we as a wider community – by which I mean as residents, businesses and our many summer visitors – continue to support their lifestyle and existence here by tipping them as car guards, giving them hand outs of food or payment for odd jobs, and in some cases even by allowing them to sleep on private property.

I hear time and time again from Ricardo and the many specialist child care social workers in our area right now who are actively trying to remove the adults and street children into care that they choose to stay and beg here, rather than anywhere else, because of the ‘generosity’ of people with hand outs, compared even to other areas of Cape Town. This makes it almost impossible for social workers to stop the kids from running back to Camps Bay constantly every time they are moved off the streets again or to encourage adults to move into shelters and helped to find proper work.

We will as a Business Forum be organising another “awareness” campaign for next season to encourage tourists especially to support our community vagrancy initiative and the Haven instead of literally fuelling this problem further as they are with handouts. But for now I must again urge everyone in Camps Bay and Clifton please to do the same and also to politely ask anyone you see giving handouts not to do so. If anyone would like to volunteer to help me specifically with this awareness campaign – distributing flyers etc – or to donate to the cost of this, please let me know.

2. The criminal element – and those that don’t want our help
Whilst as I have said, help is now there for every vagrant in Camps Bay who wants to move off the streets there are still many who refuse to help and want to stay, in many cases because as a community we make this a sustainable option for them (see 1 above) but in others because they choose to be here to pursue criminal activities, breaking into cars, theft, dealing drugs, and the like.

Obviously the criminal element must be dealt with as such by SAPS and Law Enforcement, rather than through a social initiative like ours. I know as a fact that SAPS are constantly arresting and taking such people to the Courts, not only for specific crimes but also for sleeping on the beachfront or in public spaces, or even car guarding, all of which are in themselves unlawful. The reality is that the Courts often release these people back into the community with little or no punishment, only for them to return immediately to Camps Bay to rely on our handouts, and so the cycle continues.

Even on this issue though, our social initiative is of increasing value in that we now work closely with both SAPS and the Community Court, so that evidence is regularly provided to the Court that the Haven has repeatedly offered a vagrant the chance to move off the streets, but refuses, which the Court takes account of when deciding on effective action and sentencing for any social crime.

3. Specific legal issues with Street Children – and our new Forum to address these
There are also some very specific legal and practical reasons why it has proved particularly difficult to address the issues with the group of around 15-20 children who have been living rough in the area, mostly by Glen Beach. These children come from 2-3 very poor, small communities where the parents believe in sending their children out to areas like Camps Bay, the City Centre and the Biscuit Mill specifically to beg (and sometimes steal) to earn money which the kids are then expected to take back, often to pay for drugs for their parents or other adults. So the money that the well meaning person in Camps Bay gives to one of these poor children may well not even be helping that child to buy food, but rather going to help their parent or another adult buy tik!

It is not however a simple case, as some seem to think, of either SAPS or the Haven “taking away” or arresting children like these or putting them into care. There are very strict laws governing the procedures by which children can be detained and for appropriate, effective action to be taken it is legally necessary to obtain the intervention of dedicated Child Care Social Workers from the Provincial Social Development Department (DSD). A DSD Social Worker needs to be appointed specifically from the community where each child comes from, who is then tasked with finding solutions for that child, whether through reuniting the child with his or her family, a care order, or by working with the Courts on an appropriate remedial sentence where criminal activity is involved. 

Given the number of children who have suddenly come into Camps Bay this season and the fact they come from various communities, and often roam back and forth between our suburb and others, it has taken us some time to get the necessary procedures and intervention from numerous DSD Social Workers in place and help SAPS and the Haven take necessary action, especially after hours and at weekends when their help is often needed. But the good news is that we have now recently established a new working group known as the Camps Bay Street Children’s Forum to bring all the role players together which has finally been making good progress on this issue.

This new Forum includes all of the necessary DSD social workers who have now been allocated to each street kid in our area, as well as Camps Bay SAPS and several other child care organisations who have offered to assist us going forward including the Western Cape Street Children’s Forum who Chair our Forum, as well as the Homestead and the ACVV. The Forum is also working closely with the City Improvement District who are also regularly visited by this same group of hardened street kids and are also struggling to find a solution. The Homestead has also kindly provided a specialist child care Fieldworker who is working now in Camps Bay alongside Ricardo while the issue is addressed.

Since the Forum started its work, four of the children have moved into the Homestead and I understand there have also been a number of arrests including of adults believed to be linked to the children’s activities in our area. Home visits have been paid to the families of most of our remaining street children, and the Education Department is also now involved with their schools, so I am hopeful that we should see most if not all of the remaining children moved out of Camps Bay soon.
 
In closing I hope you found this lengthy update helpful. As always, I would appeal to anyone wishing to donate funds to support our community vagrancy initiative further to let me know. This week is National Child Protection week across the country so you may feel that this is a fitting time to make a donation as we try through our initiative to find ways to address the issues with vulnerable street children in our own community.

Having discussed this with Ian, you are welcome to make your donation into the community Trust account which will therefore be fully tax deductible - Ian and I as Trustees will ensure that your donation is applied specifically towards supporting this initiative (if you do wish to donate please let me know first and kindly mark your payment with your name and “vagrancy” so we can recognise the donation).   

Thank you very much in advance for any support.    

Best wishes

Simon Kneel
 
Camps Bay Business Forum
Email - simon@campsbaybusinessforum.co.za

Letter Cape Times 2014-05-27 re CBBC and CBPS

The Camps Bay Ratepayers & Residents Association (CBRRA) is deeply disappointed that the City's Mayoral Committee chose to ignore the opportunity to pursue a community-based solution to the issue of the Camps Bay Prep School's expansion onto the City-owned (public open space) land currently leased by the almost century old Bowling Club.

CBRRA trusts that common sense will prevail upon the full sitting of Council when it meets this week to vote on the matter and that councillors are given a conscience vote rather than a party discipline instruction.

The CBRRA will continue to work towards the shared/partitioned option but is alarmed by Deputy Mayor Ian Neilson's most recent comment that the only financially viable option is for the school to "take over" all the current buildings that were erected at the sole cost of the bowling club. The fact that the school, which has always claimed that it is in funds to effect the required changes to convert the existing parking lot into classrooms and play area (part of the CBRRA shared option), is now claiming a lack of funds appears to suggest that it is prepared to effectively steal the club's building assets under the protection of its purported political patronage.

More importantly, the Mayco recommendation is for the eviction to be effected only after the statutory land use processes are complete. This could take many years and therefore the recommendation is illogical and unnecessarily prejudicial to the bowling club, which will have to continue in an untenable state of limbo.

It is also not too helpful to the school - as great expectations have been raised, which might come to nought if, say, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study returns a negative recommendation.

It must be noted that the City report is, in the CBRRA's opinion, totally lacking as it not only ignored the will, opinion and rights of the community but failed to properly interrogate the actual needs of the school and merely pandered to a wish list.
The EIA will have to be independent and cannot be politically manipulated. If it fails the test of impartiality, it will be susceptible to legal challenge and setting aside upon review.

Further, this is a non-renewable lease - so what happens to the land once the school's 10 year non-renewable lease expires and the bowling club is long gone? Of course, the City will be positioned to benefit itself by selling off public owned land to developers for short-term gain. One also wonders whether the school governing body has considered the impact of spending its funds (and Education Department funding) on such a short term project.

It is time to remind the City that it doesn't own public open spaces - it administers such land on behalf of the citizens and ratepayers of Cape Town. It is a certainty that the people of Cape Town are not in favour of the City giving away such scarce resources and the City's recent about turn on the Princess Vlei matter confirms this.

The CBRRA urgently calls on the public representatives in the City and Province to revisit this matter and call on all parties to return to the negotiating table, which the CBRRA is confident will result in a positive solution which could speedily be effected to the benefit of both education and sport.

Regards

Chris Willemse
Chair
CBRRA

Council to vote on use of bowling club land - Article Cape Times 20140527 CBBC CBPS

In two days, the Cape Town City Council is to vote on a recommendation that land used by the Camps Bay Bowling Club go to the Camps Bay Prep School.

"The reason for the recommendation was an application from the Education Department to purchase the property....Click on the article below to read more:

The Origin of the CBRRA

 THE ORIGIN OF THE CAMPS BAY RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (CBRRA)

 In 1913, in order to consolidate the supply of water, electricity, roads,

 clinics, slum clearance and housing in the Cape Town area due to the rapid

 increase in the population, the municipalities of Cape Town, Green and Sea

 Point, Woodstock, Maitland, Mowbray, Rondebosch, Claremont and Kalk Bay

 amalgamated into “The City of Greater Cape Town” .

 Camps Bay was included in the original Cape Town area and was thus in the new

 consolidated municipal area but, initially did not have a Councillor.   

 At about that time, a halfpenny additional differential rate was imposed on

 Camps Bay ratepayers to pay for a drainage scheme.

 This angered the residents and a protest meeting was held on 20 May 1918 and

 at that meeting the Camps Bay / Bakoven Vigilance Association (CBBVA) was

 created.

 This can be construed to have been the beginning of what is now the CBRRA.

 The agreed objects of CBBVA were to promote interest in municipal affairs

 amongst the residents of Camps Bay and to secure a due share of proper and

 efficient representation on the Council, to watch over the Council in those

 matters concerning  Camps Bay and to approach approach the the Council on

 behalf of the residents in regard to grievances or needs, to hold free and

 open discussions on all matters of municipal interest by holding public

 meetings, to get their own representative onto the Council and to protect and

 promote the interests of the residents of Camps Bay.  Nothing has changed !

 Four Councillors from Camps Bay became Mayors of Cape Town, (Messrs. Brinton,

 Booth, Keen and Billingham).  The only difference between those days and the

 present time is that the winning political party and not the local ratepayers

 association proposes the Councillor for each ward.

 Thus it can be seen that CBRRA has had a considerable history which originated

 when Camps Bay was in its development infancy nearly a century ago.

Agenda for Meeting Heritage WC BELCOM 28 may 2014

MEETING OF HERITAGE WESTERN CAPE BELCOM 28 MAY 2014, IN THE 8TH FLOOR BOARDROOM, PROTEA ASSURANCE BUILDING, GREENMARKERT SQUARE, CAPE TOWN AT 09H00

1. Opening

2. Attendance

3. Apologies

4. Approval of the agenda

5. Approval of previous minutes meeting held 23 April 2014

6. Disclosure of interest

7. Confidential Matters

8. Administration Matters

8.1 Outcome of the Appeals and Tribunal Committees AH/ZS

8.2 Report back on Stop Works Orders and Charges AH/ZS

8.3 Recommendations of the Appeal Committee AH

8.4 Declaration interest forms

9. Appointments

9.1 Matters to be discussed

First Session: Team West Presentation

W 10. Provincial Heritage Site: Section 27 Permit Applications

W 10.1  14050509JW0508E

·      Proposed Alterations and Additions, Erf 237, 26 Berg Street, Elim

·      Application and Heritage Statement prepared by T Engel, dated May 2014 to be tabled

·      New Matter

·      HM/ELIM/ERF 237

·      JW

W 10.2  14032406JW0402M

·      Proposed Alterations and Additions, Erf 237, 42 Boom Street, Elim

·      Application and Heritage Statement prepared by T Engel, dated May 2014 to be tabled

·      New Matter

·      HM/ELIM/ERF 237

·      JW

W.10.3  14050508JW0508E

·      Proposed Alterations and Additions, Erf 237, 8 Berg Street, Elim

·      Application and Heritage Statement prepared by T Engel, dated May 2014 to be tabled

·      New Matter

·      HM/ELIM/ERF 237

·      JW

W.11

W.11.1  14043007RN0430E

·      Proposed Alterations and Additions, Erf 97907, 6 Cardiff Road, Newlands

·      Application, Photographs and Plans prepared by Rod Palmer Architects, dated November 2013 to be tabled

·      New Matter

·      HM/NEWLANDS/ERF 97907

·      RN

W 11.2 131023JW28M

·      Proposed Total Demolition, Erf 1332, 8 Skyeway, Greenpoint, Cape Town

·      Application and heritage Statement prepared by Ashley Lillie, dated 15 April 2014 to be tabled.

·      New Matter

·      HM/GREEPOINT/ERF 1332

·      JW

W.11.2  14032607JW0326E

·      Proposed Total Demolition, Erf 84 Beach Road, Herold's Bay, Paarl

·      Application and Heritage Statement prepared by Ron Martin Heritage Consultancy, dated February 2014 to be tabled

·      New Matter

·      HM/PAARL/ERF 84

·      JW

W.12

W.12.2  None

W.13

W.13.1  14022808JW0324E

·      Proposed Alterations and Additions, Erf 471, Clifton Bungalow, 75 Clifton Road.

·      Application and plans prepared by Wynand Wilsenach Architects, dated February 2014 to be tabled

·      Matter Arising

·      HM/CLIFTON/ERF 471

·      JW

W.14 - W.17 NONE

HERITAGE REGISTER: SECTION 30 PROCESS

STRUCTURES OLDER THAN 60 YEARS: SECTION 34 PERMIT FOR PARTIAL

DEMOLITION/ ALTERATIONS

HERITAGE AREAS: SECTION 31 CONSENT APPLICATION

PROVINCIAL PROTECTION: SECTION 29 PERMIT

STRUCTURES OLDER THAN 60 YEARS: SECTION 34 PERMIT FOR TOTAL DEMOLITION

PUBLIC MONUMENTS & MEMORIALS: SECTION 37 PROCESS

PROVINCIAL PROTECTION: SECTION 29 REFUSAL BELCom

W.18.1  131204NN27M

·      Klein Constantia Estate

·      Query regarding extent of HWC Comment/Approvals required with respect to interior Finishes etc.

·      Matter Arising

·      NN

W.19 None

E.10

E.10.1  14042209GT0423E

·      Proposed Additions to existing structure on Erf 375, 1 Plein Street, Mc Gregor.

·      Application and plans prepared by Bruno de Robillard, dated 15/04/2014 to be tabled

·      New Matter

·      HM/MC GREGOR/ERF 375

·      GT

E.11

E 11.1  14042208NN0423M

·      Proposed Total Demolition, Erven 836 & 837 (Constantia) Cape Town.

·      Application, Maps and Photographs and supporting documents prepared by Perception, dated April 2014

·      New Matter

·      HM/CONSTANTIA/ERVEN 836-837

·      NN

E.11.2  14033101NN0402E

·      Proposed total Demolition, Ptn 2 of the Farm Kleinvlei No 196, Kleinvlei Farm Homestead, Clanwilliam

·      An application for permit prepared by Anton O.D Bergh, dated 3 March 2014, report regarding fire damage, locality map and plans to be tabled

·      New Matter

·      HM/CLANWILLIAM/FARM KLEINVLEI No 196

·      NN

E.12

E.12.1 14031101NN0312E

·      Proposed Alterations and Addition, Babylonstoren, Farm 1268, Simondium

·      Application and plans prepared by Malherbe Rust, dated February 2014 to be tabled

·      New Matter

·      HM/SIMONDIUM/FARM 1268

·      NN

E 12.2  14041616NN0423M

·      Proposed Alterations and Additions, Portion 42/127, Thierry Farm, Zorgvliet, Banhoek, Helshoogte Road, Stellenbosch

·      Application and Heritage Statement prepared by Stuart Hermansen, dated April 2014 to be tabled.

·      Matter Arising

·      HM/STELLENBOSCH/FARM 127

·      NN

SECOND SESSION: TEAM EAST PRESENTATION

PROVINCIAL HERITAGE SITE: SECTION 27 PERMIT APPLICATIONS

STRUCTURES OLDER THAN 60 YEARS: SECTION 34 PERMIT FOR PARTIAL

DEMOLITION/ ALTERATIONS

REQUEST FOR OPINION/ ADVICE

STRUCTURES OLDER THAN 60 YEARS: SECTION 34 PERMIT FOR TOTAL DEMOLITION

E 12.3  14051402NN0430

·      Proposed Partial Demolition, " The Jazz Workshop", Erven 1260;1261 C/O Buitengracht and Hout Streets, Cape Town

·      Supplementary application, Motivation, Pictures and plans prepared by Arcon, dated August 2013 to be tabled.

·      Matter Arising

·      HM/CAPE TOWN/ERVEN 1260/1261

·      NN

E 12.4  14041506GT0423

·      Proposed Additions to existing structures, Erf 2533, 2534, 2556, c/o Church and Loop Street, Cape Town

·      Application, Photographs and plans prepared by Rennie Scurr adendorff Architects, dated 18/12/2013 to be tabled

·      New Matter

·      HM/CAPE TOWN/ERF 2533/2534/2556

·      GT

E 12.5  14040810GT

·      Proposed Alterations and Additions, Erf 1683, 15 Derwent Road, Oranjezicht, Cape Town

·      Application, Motivation, Photographs and plans prepared by Barnaby Steynor Architecture, dated 28/11/2013 to be tabled.

·      New Matter

·      HM/ORANJEZICHT/ERF 1683

·      GT

E12.6  14040811GT

·      Proposed Alterations and Additions, Erf 2944, 17 Derwent Road, Oranjezicht, Cape Town

·      Application, Motivation, Photographs and plans prepared by Barnaby Steynor Architecture, dated 28/11/2013 to be tabled

·      New Matters

·      HM/ORANJEZICHT/ERF 2944

·      GT

E.13 - E.19 NONE

Date of next meeting

25 June 2014

PROVINCIAL PROTECTION: SECTION 29 REFUSAL

Closure

HERITAGE REGISTER: SECTION 30 PROCESS

HERITAGE AREAS: SECTION 31 CONSENT APPLICATIONS