Mar 4, 2014
From: Chris Willemse
to Stuart Collier (Head of Camps Bay Primary School)
Hi Stuart
Thank you for your input into our meeting last night - I think it was good that the matter was publicly aired and that both sides got to have their say.
As stated, CBRRA really does not want to dwell on the past history as it's divisive and unhelpful in moving forward.
The meeting clearly supported the shared/partitioned option as proposed by CBRRA and we would sincerely wish to discuss this matter further with you in order that the needs of the school can be accommodated by 2015.
Perhaps this can be raised at this morning's Principal's meeting and I look forward to your positive reply.
Cheers
Chris
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
CBRRA Chair: Protecting Camps Bay's Public Land and Green belt
PROTECTING CAMPS BAY’s PUBLIC LAND AND GREEN BELT
The main topic that will be addressed tonight is one that appears to be a difference between 2 major stakeholders in Camps Bay – the Camps Bay Prep School (CBPS) and the Camps Bay Bowling Club (CBBC). This can generally be described as an effort to gain more land on the School’s part and the resistance thereto by the Bowling Club. However, this extends far beyond the competing partys’ aspirations and ultimately affects all the ratepayers and residents of Camps Bay - and by extension, all the citizens of Cape Town.
I am referring to the proposed cancellation of the CBBC lease by the City of Cape Town and the negotiation of a new lease with the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC) for the use by the Western Cape Education Department. This is to facilitate the expansion of the CBPS.
Now on the face of it, it appears to be fairly straightforward: The Prep School is turning away prospective pupils due to space constraints. The Bowling Club has a piece of land that is currently used as a parking area which could be better utilized. However, the matter is more complicated than that.
I’ll sketch a brief history of events to better understand how this matter has evolved:
Representatives of the CBPS approached the CBBC in mid to late 2010 to discuss the possible utilization of a portion of Bowling Club leased land. Although there appears to have been some consensus, nothing came of this. In any event, around June 2011, the school made a formal proposal to the City that the Bowling Club lease be cancelled due to alleged breach of the lease agreement by the club and that the land be made available to the school. The City subsequently investigated the CBBC and inspected its books, audits and operational methods. This proved a lengthy and exhaustive process but by Oct 2012, the City’s Mayco member for Community Services, Tandeka Gqada declared that the CBBC was considered a club in good standing and that its lease would remain in place and that the matter was considered closed by the City.
In the interim, about June 2012, a grouping calling itself the Concerned Parents Group came into being to lobby for the expansion of the School and assist the representatives of the School in what was now an attempt to annex the entire piece of land leased by the Bowling Club. This group organized a protest gathering outside the club in Jan 2013 but was more active in garnering political support from the top echelons of the DA – viz the Premier’s Office. But more of that later.
In amongst all of this, the CBRRA attempted to broker a solution to the matter that would have seen the Prep School sub-leasing a portion of the Bowling Club leased land. This initiative was supported by Cllr Marga Haywood and MPL Mark Wiley. Johan van Papendorp of CBRRA Manco did basic sketches of the shared proposal, using the existing parking lot for additional classrooms and formal parking, which appeared to find favour with all parties. However, the matter stalled – with both sides claiming fault on the part of the other. For the purposes of progress, this was of course extremely unhelpful.
I’ll give you 2 examples from either side:
The main thrust of the School is that the CBBC has stalled negotiations – but given that the School made an official appeal to the City in August 2011 to cancel the CBBC lease, it cannot be argued that the School were negotiating in good faith. Effectively, the School were asking the Bowling Club to negotiate its own demise, which is nonsensical.
But, as I said, this is not helpful when we are attempting to address the real needs of two important community bodies in our village.
In late 2012, reps of the school and CPG lobbied DA parliamentary leader, Lindiwe Mazibuka and shadow finance minister, Tim Harris, to support their cause. Following on this, in April 2013, a meeting was held with Premier Zille, the school and MEC Robin Carlisle. The Premier indicated her support for the school and suddenly, the City’s mayoral committee seemed to change its tune and was now interested in selling off the land to the Province.
Alarmed by this level of political interference in local civic matters – and given that here had been no reference of this matter to the community of Camps Bay – the CBRRA addressed a letter to Premier Zille on 23 June 2013, seeking her support in reaching a sensible, community-based solution. The CBRRA has not been accorded the courtesy of a reply from the premier’s office, which is concerning to say the least.
However, CBRRA continued to attempt to broker an eleventh hour settlement. To this end, a new sketch plan was drawn up that provided for 4 new classrooms, a play area and a proposal that the entire building containing the pub area be annexed by the school. The Bowling Club would retain the current hall, the 2 bowling greens and receive a portion of dedicated parking. The club would also be entitled to construct a new lounge area adjacent to the sea side green. The CBBC agreed to this “partitioning” and a representative of the school indicated that this could be acceptable.
Despite all of this, at the end of last year the city advertised a proposal for the alienation of the entire area, the cancellation of the CBBC lease and the lease of the property to the PGWC.
As an aside, I can tell you that the proposal to sell the land to the Province came to nothing when the City assessed the land value at about R45m. It appears that the School and the Education Department want the land and all of the improvements made by the CBBC over the years – but they don’t want to pay for it. Hence, the lease option. In this scenario, once the land is rezoned away from public open space and the school has erected a few buildings on the site, then the land won’t have a hefty price tag and it is almost certain that the land will possibly be expropriated and sold to the province at a more affordable level. And one can only surmise what the Education Department will do with over 6000m2 of valuable land in central Camps Bay …. but a guess would be to assess that the school only needs half and that the other half can be sold to “raise funds”. It will be, after all, the PGWC’s land, to do with what it wants.
The CBRRA has submitted a substantive objection to the advertised proposal, warning of the perils of unilateral disposal of public open space land, the obstacles that would be faced in the re-zoning process and then motivating for the partitioned option as a win-win solution. One must also be mindful that the Bowling Club also hosts many other community activities such as karate, Pilates, exercise classes, functions, etc.
We understand that a report has been drawn up by the City officials but not when it will be discussed by the City – or which committee will discuss it. Clearly, CBRRA want the report tabled at the Good Hope Subcouncil, where there is effective local representation – and where the various parties can make oral submissions - but it might simply be referred to the Mayoral Committee, where there is little chance for meaningful debate and no opportunity to make oral representations.
Most recently, the CBRRA requested a meeting with all 3 Camps Bay schools to discuss the matter. The Schools declined. A further request was directed at the Schools 12 days ago. They haven’t responded to date and the CBRRA is concerned that they are merely relying on political patronage.
This lead to the real point of this issue:
If the City, due to political pressure from up high, can dispose of a sustainable sporting club, with a valid, legal lease and deprive the community of scarce public open space – then who or what is next. It is not unlikely that if this happens, someone will speak in the ear of a suitably influential politician and a case will be made to expropriate the soccer field, or the park, or the tennis club or, in fact, any other piece of public land. Once matters are taken away from public scrutiny and community opinion is ignored, as is happening in the Bowling Club case, then base greed will determine our future and the highest bidder will control the future of our community facilities and land. Please remember, the City doesn’t own this land – it manages it on behalf and at the behest of the people.
I will open this matter to the floor for comment but before so doing, will just emphasis a few points in conclusion:
The main topic that will be addressed tonight is one that appears to be a difference between 2 major stakeholders in Camps Bay – the Camps Bay Prep School (CBPS) and the Camps Bay Bowling Club (CBBC). This can generally be described as an effort to gain more land on the School’s part and the resistance thereto by the Bowling Club. However, this extends far beyond the competing partys’ aspirations and ultimately affects all the ratepayers and residents of Camps Bay - and by extension, all the citizens of Cape Town.
I am referring to the proposed cancellation of the CBBC lease by the City of Cape Town and the negotiation of a new lease with the Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC) for the use by the Western Cape Education Department. This is to facilitate the expansion of the CBPS.
Now on the face of it, it appears to be fairly straightforward: The Prep School is turning away prospective pupils due to space constraints. The Bowling Club has a piece of land that is currently used as a parking area which could be better utilized. However, the matter is more complicated than that.
I’ll sketch a brief history of events to better understand how this matter has evolved:
Representatives of the CBPS approached the CBBC in mid to late 2010 to discuss the possible utilization of a portion of Bowling Club leased land. Although there appears to have been some consensus, nothing came of this. In any event, around June 2011, the school made a formal proposal to the City that the Bowling Club lease be cancelled due to alleged breach of the lease agreement by the club and that the land be made available to the school. The City subsequently investigated the CBBC and inspected its books, audits and operational methods. This proved a lengthy and exhaustive process but by Oct 2012, the City’s Mayco member for Community Services, Tandeka Gqada declared that the CBBC was considered a club in good standing and that its lease would remain in place and that the matter was considered closed by the City.
In the interim, about June 2012, a grouping calling itself the Concerned Parents Group came into being to lobby for the expansion of the School and assist the representatives of the School in what was now an attempt to annex the entire piece of land leased by the Bowling Club. This group organized a protest gathering outside the club in Jan 2013 but was more active in garnering political support from the top echelons of the DA – viz the Premier’s Office. But more of that later.
In amongst all of this, the CBRRA attempted to broker a solution to the matter that would have seen the Prep School sub-leasing a portion of the Bowling Club leased land. This initiative was supported by Cllr Marga Haywood and MPL Mark Wiley. Johan van Papendorp of CBRRA Manco did basic sketches of the shared proposal, using the existing parking lot for additional classrooms and formal parking, which appeared to find favour with all parties. However, the matter stalled – with both sides claiming fault on the part of the other. For the purposes of progress, this was of course extremely unhelpful.
I’ll give you 2 examples from either side:
- The school has a high number of pupils enrolled who do not live in the area. This might be true but that is a matter with which the school must deal and the CBRRA accepts that there is a need to expand the campus.
- The Bowling Club was rumoured to have only about 30 members and had to borrow players from other clubs to make up competitive teams. Actually, the club has over a hundred members, is the only bowling club in the WP that is growing its membership and has over thirty players who compete in WP open competitions. This doesn’t of course include the social players.
The main thrust of the School is that the CBBC has stalled negotiations – but given that the School made an official appeal to the City in August 2011 to cancel the CBBC lease, it cannot be argued that the School were negotiating in good faith. Effectively, the School were asking the Bowling Club to negotiate its own demise, which is nonsensical.
But, as I said, this is not helpful when we are attempting to address the real needs of two important community bodies in our village.
In late 2012, reps of the school and CPG lobbied DA parliamentary leader, Lindiwe Mazibuka and shadow finance minister, Tim Harris, to support their cause. Following on this, in April 2013, a meeting was held with Premier Zille, the school and MEC Robin Carlisle. The Premier indicated her support for the school and suddenly, the City’s mayoral committee seemed to change its tune and was now interested in selling off the land to the Province.
Alarmed by this level of political interference in local civic matters – and given that here had been no reference of this matter to the community of Camps Bay – the CBRRA addressed a letter to Premier Zille on 23 June 2013, seeking her support in reaching a sensible, community-based solution. The CBRRA has not been accorded the courtesy of a reply from the premier’s office, which is concerning to say the least.
However, CBRRA continued to attempt to broker an eleventh hour settlement. To this end, a new sketch plan was drawn up that provided for 4 new classrooms, a play area and a proposal that the entire building containing the pub area be annexed by the school. The Bowling Club would retain the current hall, the 2 bowling greens and receive a portion of dedicated parking. The club would also be entitled to construct a new lounge area adjacent to the sea side green. The CBBC agreed to this “partitioning” and a representative of the school indicated that this could be acceptable.
Despite all of this, at the end of last year the city advertised a proposal for the alienation of the entire area, the cancellation of the CBBC lease and the lease of the property to the PGWC.
As an aside, I can tell you that the proposal to sell the land to the Province came to nothing when the City assessed the land value at about R45m. It appears that the School and the Education Department want the land and all of the improvements made by the CBBC over the years – but they don’t want to pay for it. Hence, the lease option. In this scenario, once the land is rezoned away from public open space and the school has erected a few buildings on the site, then the land won’t have a hefty price tag and it is almost certain that the land will possibly be expropriated and sold to the province at a more affordable level. And one can only surmise what the Education Department will do with over 6000m2 of valuable land in central Camps Bay …. but a guess would be to assess that the school only needs half and that the other half can be sold to “raise funds”. It will be, after all, the PGWC’s land, to do with what it wants.
The CBRRA has submitted a substantive objection to the advertised proposal, warning of the perils of unilateral disposal of public open space land, the obstacles that would be faced in the re-zoning process and then motivating for the partitioned option as a win-win solution. One must also be mindful that the Bowling Club also hosts many other community activities such as karate, Pilates, exercise classes, functions, etc.
We understand that a report has been drawn up by the City officials but not when it will be discussed by the City – or which committee will discuss it. Clearly, CBRRA want the report tabled at the Good Hope Subcouncil, where there is effective local representation – and where the various parties can make oral submissions - but it might simply be referred to the Mayoral Committee, where there is little chance for meaningful debate and no opportunity to make oral representations.
Most recently, the CBRRA requested a meeting with all 3 Camps Bay schools to discuss the matter. The Schools declined. A further request was directed at the Schools 12 days ago. They haven’t responded to date and the CBRRA is concerned that they are merely relying on political patronage.
This lead to the real point of this issue:
If the City, due to political pressure from up high, can dispose of a sustainable sporting club, with a valid, legal lease and deprive the community of scarce public open space – then who or what is next. It is not unlikely that if this happens, someone will speak in the ear of a suitably influential politician and a case will be made to expropriate the soccer field, or the park, or the tennis club or, in fact, any other piece of public land. Once matters are taken away from public scrutiny and community opinion is ignored, as is happening in the Bowling Club case, then base greed will determine our future and the highest bidder will control the future of our community facilities and land. Please remember, the City doesn’t own this land – it manages it on behalf and at the behest of the people.
I will open this matter to the floor for comment but before so doing, will just emphasis a few points in conclusion:
- The CBRRA is committed to the better utilization of the land, which will mean that both the CBBC and the CBPS share the property on a partitioned basis. This will benefit the community whilst also retaining the unique nature of the land. It will also provide a tremendous synergy with old and young alike sharing community land.
- The CBRRA believes that it is necessary to preserve the only real community hall in the village – with all the associated activities that it attracts such as the karate, etc. mentioned earlier.
- The CBRRA wants co-operative solutions that involve the community and its needs and requirements. CBRRA appeals to all ratepayers and residents to get involved in such important issues. It is vital that the progress of the various stakeholders in Camps Bay benefits the community as a whole and doesn’t happen at the cost of the community.
- A major concern is that any unilateral approval of the proposal by the City will lead to protracted legal challenges. In this scenario, it is likely that both parties will be considerably weakened (the CBBC will probably lose - or not gain new – members and residents of Camps Bay will need to send their children to other schools out of the area).
- This might result in the entire property only having development value – and we all know what that means.
- If necessary, the CBRRA will organize an on-line petition and press involvement to expose the political interference and un-democratic processes followed in this matter.
CBRRA meeting votes almost unanimously in favour of shared option for CBPS and CBBC
At a lively debate at CBRRA’s public meeting last night the Camps
Bay Preparatory & Camps Bay Bowling Club both stated their case. There was
clearly a different view of history on this almost 3 year old matter. The CBRRA
urged both parties to rather move forward and pursue the shared option of the
City land as unilateralism would only delay the process further. After an
open vote to the floor, the meeting voted almost unanimously in support of the
shared or partitioned option. The CBRRA is looking forward to assisting these
two community entities to find a suitable solution for the enrolment of 2015
pupils.
Monday, 3 March 2014
CCT: Development Application Management System
Homeowners do not need to register as a business partner as they already have a business partner number on their municipal account with the City.All other parties who have to register as a separate entity will be able to do so online via the Planning Portal and within the District Offices where officials will be on hand to assist with the registration process.Information covering the business partner registration process will be included in the next newsletter.
Thursday, 27 February 2014
Are our Sports Field at Risk? Monday 3 March 2014 at 6.30 pm
Camps Bay & Clifton Ratepayers
PUBLIC MEETING
ARE OUR SPORTS FIELDS AT RISK?
Protecting the Camps Bay Green Belet and Public Open Space
ALSO:
• Slope Stability on Victoria Road
• Councillors & Manco report backs
Monday 3 March
The Rotunda, The Bay Hotel, Camps Bay
6.30pm - 8pm
Be There! It is in Your Hands!
Declaration of the street block bound by Strand, Buitengracht, Bree and Waterkant Streets
Please support the application by The Habitat Council for the:
'Declaration of the street block bound by Strand, Buitengracht, Bree and Waterkant Streets, Cape Town, comprising ERF 9245 CT – (The Lutheran Church Complex, the Evangelical Lutheran Church office, and two 20th century buildings), and ERF 174009 CT – (Melck/VOC warehouse) as Grade 1 Heritage Resource'.In order to assist those who are not aware of this historical site, please find (ATTACHED) a copy of a very informative presentation prepared for last November's appeal hearing.A refusal of a previous application for a 4 storey office block application was confirmed by the Cape High Court, and, in November 2013, by the Planning Appeal Board of the City. This application to now have the defined area declared a Grade 1 Heritage site is prompted by the likelihood that a new application may now be submitted for the development with respect to the 18th century warehouse on this street block.Letters of support can be sent to the Executive Officer: Habitat Council, 1 Bertha Court, Exner Ave, Vredehoek 8001 email address: mlroux@mweb.co.zaORThe South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) itself if you prefer : PO Box 4637, Cape Town, 8000 email: info@sahra.org.za - please also send a copy to the Executive Officer: Habitat Council, 1 Bertha Court, Exner Ave, Vredehoek 8001, email address: mlroux@mweb.co.za• We fully support the application to SAHRA and the stand taken by the Habitat Council to have the complete Lutheran street block declared a Grade 1 Heritage site, prompted by the likelihood that a new application may now be submitted for the development with respect to the 18th century warehouse on this street block. The refusal of the 4 storey office block application having been confirmed by the Cape High Court, and, in November 2013, by the Planning Appeal Board of the City.• We also fully agree and support the reasoning of the Habitat Council in this application to SAHRA in that you declare the complete street block a Grade 1 Heritage Resource, so that the principle that this block reflects 18th century scale and style of construction may be strengthened.• We do not want to have to fight against anything like the four plus two storey block which would totally destroy the integrity of the site, - the only remaining street block representing 18th century buildings of the VOC period.Kind regardsLen SwimmerChairman
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Appeal to Camps Bay residents
Dear Camps Bay resident / owner
Many of you may not know about the CBRRA or what it does. The CBRRA has been around for many years. The Executive Committee offers their time and expertise free of charge for the mutual benefit of ALL owners and residents of Camps Bay. It is through the tireless work of Exco Members over many years that Camps Bay is what it is today – arguably the most desirable place to live in South Africa. You should consider the CBRRA as your community friend looking after your interests in the Camps Bay community.
Some of the main objectives of the CBRRA are:
We would like to invite you all to join CBRRA and assist Exco in making the Camps Bay community even better. It is only with the support of the community that we are able to achieve our objectives and protect your interests.
If you would like to join, please can you e-mail us and we would be pleased to welcome you. All we ask for is a nominal contribution of R300 per annum. Alternatively, you can make a combined contribution of R500 for 2014 and 2015. This can be paid either in cash at Herbert Properties office or alternatively by means of an EFT. The bank details are as follows:
First National Bank
Branch code: 201709
Account No: 62062797934
For those of you who are already Members, we would like to thank you. If you could forward this post to anyone you may know that would like to join, we would be most grateful.
Many of you may not know about the CBRRA or what it does. The CBRRA has been around for many years. The Executive Committee offers their time and expertise free of charge for the mutual benefit of ALL owners and residents of Camps Bay. It is through the tireless work of Exco Members over many years that Camps Bay is what it is today – arguably the most desirable place to live in South Africa. You should consider the CBRRA as your community friend looking after your interests in the Camps Bay community.
Some of the main objectives of the CBRRA are:
- To bring back a sense of community to residents.
- To work in the best interests of all residents and owners.
- To assist and guide owners with planning matters.
- To work with Council and Councillors in order to preserve / enhance the beauty of Camps Bay (eg maintenance of open spaces) for all residents and owners and restrict control of Liquor Outlets.
- To ensure only suitable events within the community are held.
- To work hand-in-hand with Camps Bay Watch (CBW) and other community bodies.
We would like to invite you all to join CBRRA and assist Exco in making the Camps Bay community even better. It is only with the support of the community that we are able to achieve our objectives and protect your interests.
If you would like to join, please can you e-mail us and we would be pleased to welcome you. All we ask for is a nominal contribution of R300 per annum. Alternatively, you can make a combined contribution of R500 for 2014 and 2015. This can be paid either in cash at Herbert Properties office or alternatively by means of an EFT. The bank details are as follows:
First National Bank
Branch code: 201709
Account No: 62062797934
For those of you who are already Members, we would like to thank you. If you could forward this post to anyone you may know that would like to join, we would be most grateful.
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