31ST MAY, 2011
Good evening, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and gentlemen.
Let me warn you at the outset that this will be an upbeat report, despite the fact that the last year has been very challenging for the HRAA EXCO. For some of our members, who have not enjoyed good health, it has been particularly trying. Nonetheless, all of them have given of their best, and, as you will hear, we are able to report some noteworthy achievements.
We have again conscientiously discharged our routine functions. I will list a few for you.
Attendance as observers at all routine Sub-Council meetings.
Study of all applications for variation of Building and Zoning regulations. (App. 30 p/m)
Perusal, consideration and comment on numerous draft new Cape Town City by-laws.
Representation and constructive participation in a number-of Ward Forums.
Participation in various Workshops, followed by report-back and written comment
Liaison and co-operation with other bodies, particularly the CPF and GCTCA.
Two particular activities have demanded exceptional commitment of time and energy, namely
The City’s Spatial Development Framework, and Draft Integrated Zoning Scheme.
These will result in the incorporation of huge rural areas within the Urban Edge and new policies relating to densification of housing. EXCO members, and Gavin Smith in particular, have spent many hours in workshops and public meetings and have submitted lengthy commentaries on aspects of these ongoing processes. You will recall Gavin’s detailed report on these matters at last year’s AGM. The interests of the Helderberg region are consistently and actively represented and protected by the HRAA.
The HRAA’s “This is MY town” survey. Concern about the deteriorating state of Somerset West’s town centre, especially in Church Street, prompted us to conduct a Survey among all classes of users of the town centre (employers, employees, business owners, commuters, visitors, etc) to determine attitudes on this issue. This was a time consuming and wearisome process, but has yielded credible comment where previously there was only conjecture. An interesting item was the positive commitment to the town of nearly all respondents. The value of the data is seen in steps taken to regulate and control informal trading in the town centre. This, we hope, is the start of a process of improvement in the town. We hope to update the survey from time to time. Our experience in conducting the survey is available to our friends in other bodies and towns.
Several important current concerns must continue to receive attention. These are
The site of the Soup Kitchen in Victoria Street arid the problem of vagrancy in the town. These are complex, emotive and related issues which will not be easily resolved. Initiatives to this end are underway. The HRAA is an observer, and, when necessary, a facilitator, but not the driver of the process, and continues to press for an urgent solution.
The continuing threat of crime in the CBD, suburbs and rural areas. In the interests of HRAA members, your EXCO constantly monitors trends and developments and supports the efforts of the SAPS, CPF, HCW and NHW. EXCO members serve on the CPF and NHW. We heartily commend these bodies and approve their achievements.
The need to extend membership of the HRAA and establish email communication. The expensive, time consuming postal system severely handicaps us and is out-dated.
The most serious issues in the Helderberg, engaging immediate attention.
Basic services infrastructure is obsolescent and near the limit of its capacity. Burst water pipes and overstrained sewerage are noted daily. Maintenance is a critical challenge for Council resources. Extensive further development of the Helderberg region is inevitable, given the pressure on Cape Town to expand. The primary and urgent purpose of the HRAA’s participation in the Spatial Development and Integrated Zoning processes is to ensure that development is not allowed to outstrip the provision of quality services infrastructure. This is the most valuable service that HRAA can render to the region.
Proposed cell phone radio masts. Two applications have recently been lodged for masts, one for Cell C on a corner of the Helderberg Nature Reserve, and one for Vodacom on the open space surrounding the reservoirs at the top of Irene Road. In the former application^ public participation has been circumvented on technicalities. The HRAA will investigate the legality of this. In regard to the Vodacom application, your EXCO had to determine a responsible attitude, taking into account the public need for improved cell phone coverage and the objections on various grounds against this tower. It is alleged by the applicants that dependable scientific evidence establishes that such towers pose no health threat, and that alleged health hazards are scientifically unproven. The EXCO has satisfied itself that a substantial body of acceptable scientific opinion exists, which warrants support of the objections against the application. This view is confirmed by a unanimous resolution of an important EU Committee, taken about two weeks ago. Arguments are complex and technical. The amount of data available is considerable. It would take many hours to review and discuss it here. I wish, however, to assure members that the EXCO gave very careful and critical attention to the issues before reaching this decision and that its objection is reasoned and responsible. I wish also to commend our members, particularly Clive Sabel and his colleagues, who have been assiduous, thorough and helpful with assistance in compiling much of the data. We thank them sincerely.
The HRAA and service delivery. It is extremely difficult to relate service delivery to revenue drawn from this region by the City. The EXCO is critical of delivery and monitors budget allocations insofar as this is possible. Our experience of the Ward Forum system is that it is potentially a valuable and useful process through which both the citizenry and the Council must benefit. This requires dedication, purpose and a positive attitude from all parties. We are confident that our participation is important and that it is advantageous to the community. We do our job best by encouragement and firm insistence that Others put their best foot forward. The Helderberg region has a proud and dignified past. It also has the confidence to ensure that it will enjoy a proud and dignified and thoroughly modern future. The Helderberg will always be a highly desirable part of the country to live in. The HRAA intends to continue playing a significant role in sustaining that vision.
Special thanks to special people.
There are so many special, public spirited people in this region that I am deeply conscious of the privilege of serving among them. In paying tribute to a few, I fear I shall omit many. Nonetheless, I shall try here to repay some of the debt of gratitude that we collectively them.
Thank you to Round Table for making their Clubhouse available to our EXCO for meetings.
Thank you to Mrs Talita de Klerk and her ever friendly library staff for free use of this hall.
Thank you to U3A and its CAM Forum for facilitating many useful public meetings for us.
Thank you to many, many friends and neighbours who give generously of their time to serve on a host of local bodies, especially the security-related bodies, for our common benefit.
Thank you to Councillors and numerous officials who diligently fulfill their duties, despite our often ungrateful complaints.
Thank you very much, all members of the SAPS, for bravely facing appalling and unexpected dangers at any moment and putting yourselves at mortal risk for our peace and safety. I ask everybody present to join me in a special vote of thanks and gratitude to our police officers. The EXCO will make a special visit to the SAP to convey these wishes.
Special thanks to our hard-working colleagues on other Ratepayers’ Bodies in Strand and Gordon’s Bay for their warm and friendly support and co-operation. Strand Ratepayers recently negotiated a wonderful arrangement for a free monthly slot for ratepayers on Radio Helderberg. They immediately and generously shared this opportunity with the other Ratepayers’ bodies in the region. What grand friends these are!
I wish to pay tribute to my fellow EXCO members who work tirelessly, loyally and diligently and who are unfailingly courteous when pointing out the folly of my most inspired and wacky ideas.
Working with them is a pleasure and a privilege. Please join me in extending affectionate greetings and wishes for a complete recovery to Alan Blues, our Secretary, who has served this organisation well for many years.
Lastly, let us all please thank the long-suffering wives, husbands and families of the many fine people whom I have just mentioned, for their forbearance and support. Their contribution is more public-spirited and much more important than they generally realise.
And thank yon all for listening to this interminable report.
PETER FORD
Chairman.
