CBRRA MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING
held on 7 March 2011 19h00 at The Rotunda, The Bay Hotel, Camps Bay
1. ATTENDANCE
PRESENT: Chris Willemse, Johan van Papendorp, Gus Millner, Sandy van Hoogstraten, Alma Horn, Brenda Herbert, Trudi Groenewald, John Powell, Michele Harvey, Chrissie Phillips
2. APOLOGIES
Colin Harvey
3. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
3.1
The Chair welcomed everyone and extended a special welcome to Ward councillor Marga Haywood, Taylor Jackson, the head prefect of Camps Bay High School and his delegation of prefects, Arthur Shepherd, Bernard Shafer and Simon Kneel of the civic security cluster. Thanks were also extended to Maree Brink, Johannes Lategan and Hester of the Bay Hotel for their hospitality.
3.2
The Chair extended best wishes to Val Cleland for a speedy recovery from illness. Val has been a tower of strength to MANCO over the years that she served on the committee.
3.3
The Chair's report would deal with the new members on MANCO. CBRRA will strive to provide a new vision and proposed synergy with school and sporting bodies.
3.4
The Chair's report would also deal with the fall-out from the Harrison case, in which the CBRRA was unsuccessful.
4. SPEAKER Sandy van Hoogstraten: Camps Bay Goes Clean
4.1
Sandy’s presentation to be attached
5. SPEAKER Taylor Jackson: Head Prefect Camps Bay High School re involvement in CB Goes Clean
5.1
Taylor introduced himself and prefects
5.2
Taylor said the school would run an environmental awareness campaign with Sandy van Hoogstraten of CBRRA.
5.3
They would educate the community on recycling , have guest speakers for talks, launch a green committee and sell 'green genies' at a reduced price
5.4
Two green genies were raffled. Winners: John Powell and Matthew Bater
6. SPEAKER Bernard Schafer: Proposed fencing of Little Glen
6.1
Bernard introduced himself on behalf of the 'fix-up project' initiated by the community surrounding the Little Glen.
6.2
Bernard spoke about the cluster of security bodies, these being: Camps Bay Watch, CBCPF and the CBCSI and the fix up projects started by the community surrounding the Glen. He said that fencing the Glen conjures thoughts of elitism but the ecological problems, litter, illegal dumping, security and 'out of sight, out of mind' necessitated monitoring. Builders are dumping and conning the community into taking rubbish for them and putting it into the Glen. Criminals are also using the Glen as an escape route, it is all too easy to get into and out of properties in this area. Managing and monitoring will not restrict access to residents but make it safer, particularly at night. Fences will initially have a 1.2 m opening and later be gated. Keys will be available to residents and gates will only be locked at night. Botanical experts have been involved to prevent damage to green areas and making the fences aesthetically pleasing.
6.3
Questions from the floor:
Colin Carter noted his concern that he didn't want to find gates locked and private people managing them. Dawn and dusk monitoring - who's responsible? Residents don't want to feel they are living in an enclosed area and
wanted to be assured that it would be environmentally friendly. Resident also don't want to see a slow erosion of access points being closed off.
Bernard’s response:
Bernard agreed with the sentiments expressed by Colin. Fencing (Beta type) to blend in with vegetation (same colours and lasting for 30 years with low maintenance). Fencing will be below road level where possible. There are no immediate plans for gates to go on openings to little Glen and in time will only be at night. Residents wishing to walk in 'dead of night' would have a key. It would be preferable to have monitoring.
Colin Carter’s response:
Part of the problem is that papers print conflicting reports which doesn't help in clarification.
Sandy van Hoogstraten’s response:
Sandy suggested planting thorny roses and also to fix and clear steps making walking more easy.
7. CHAIRPERSON’s REPORT: Chris Willemse
7.1
The Chair introduced the new members, Michele Harvey, Colin Harvey, Sandy van Hoogstraten and Gus Millner. Their qualities and their roles were commented upon and they were wished every success for their time on Manco. He also noted that Jane Bodin had left the committee and thanked her for her contribution in taking the minutes.
8. SPEAKER: COUNCILLOR Marga Haywood
8.1
Margo welcomed everybody and said she would go through the main problem issues as follows:-
8.2
The first issue was the rates and taxes, particularly how the city has done the valuations. This is still not resolved. The poor areas will be subsided by the ratepayers as decided by parliament and the constitution. The intention that 60% of the rates should be spent where the rates are paid is being investigated. The point was made that the "local area" means the ward and not the City.
It is accepted by the City of Cape Town that allocations such as fire fighting, etc are part of the budget for Camps Bay but there's lots of space to manoeuver a substantial spend on the area.
8.3
Electricity has almost doubled. The main reason for this is that National Government did not invest when they should have done.
8.4
Negatives:
- Vagrants and anti social behaviour and littering
- Neighbours: Views and privacy
- Events and noise pollution
- Dog walking, horse riding (Hout Bay)
Positives:
- More local input into the prioritising of budget expenditure.
- The redevelopment of Camps Bay beach had been approved years ago but had fallen by the wayside. It had now been recommended to the full council.
- The budget was the biggest capital item prioritised.
- Repairs to steps at Maidons Cove.
- Received request for R900,000 for the national park including irrigation systems and plants.
- Road and storm water infrastructure along Victoria Road had seen some repairs
- Waste removal
- There were two big fires on Victoria Drive and the success in the fire fighting had very positive feedback
8.5
She will go as a committed representative with John Powell and Chris Willemse to see the deputy mayor regarding the court action costs
8.6
In the new demarcation process, the Hout Bay ward has lost 1500 voters to Sea Point. She stressed the point that if you want control on how your money is spent then you must vote.
9. FINANCE – John Powell
9.1 John to attach report
10. PLANNING – Chris Willemse
10.1 Chris to attach report
11. QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
1.1
Question 1 (Michael Williams): What is the final financial implication of the legal fees owed?
Response (Chris Willemse): R75,000. If the city prosecute their cost order, then it will be substantial.
Question 2 (Bernard Schafer, to Marga Haywood):
- Residents are complaining of electricity readings being 5-6 times above normal and sometimes 100's and thousands of rands more. Surely pre-paid customers should have a discount as there is less administration, etc.
- Cleaning and removal of rubbish is a massive problem on the verges, sides of the roads in Camps Bay and Clifton. Residents' sponsored clean-ups result in the removal of at least 10 truckloads a month. What can we do?
- The beach verge needs to be clear for emergency and life guard services. Vehicles constantly damage the grass and pole barriers. They need 3 registered areas left, right and centre of Camps Bay for these vehicles.
- Need feedback for special liquor licenses for guest houses. Specific categories should have licenses
- Bakoven has a severe sewerage crisis. Needs meeting with departments regarding raw sewerage getting onto Bakoven beaches.
Response (Chris Willemse): Will report back as most matters are currently being addressed.
Question 3 (Jane Bodin): Jane Bodin read a prepared statement admonishing the commitee for not always following the exact letter of the CBRRA constitution. She also wished the new members well.
Question 4 (from the floor): What are Manco's thoughts on Jane's statement?
Response (Chris Willemse): Jane had submitted a lengthy document to Manco regarding governance, most of which was based on incorrect perceptions on her part. Clearly, there is no suggestion of impropriety and minor procedural issues are bound to occur in an overworked voluntary organisation. In reality, Jane's problems were related to personality differences with the committee.
The chair thanked everyone for attending.
Meeting closed at 21h00.
