FISH HOEK VALLEY RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 24th FEBRUARY 2011
AT 19h30 IN THE CIVIC CENTRE MAIN HALL, FISH HOEK
- ATTENDANCE AND WELCOME
Attendance: As per the attendance register – which included Ald Nicki Holderness, Ald Felicity Purchase and Cllr Demetri Qually, chairperson of Sub-council 19.
Apologies: Mr A Rose-Innes, Mr and Mrs G Child, Mrs H O’Regan, Mr and Mrs J Earle, Mrs O Plowden, Mr D Anderson, Mr and Mrs J Binos, Mr and Mrs M Gray, Mrs S Harris.
2. GUEST SPEAKER: ALD NICKI HOLDERNESS : “LOCAL GOVERNMENT: HOW TO MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU”
Councillor Holderness, of Ward 61, did not need any introduction. Nicki has been one of the Far South’s dedicated and tireless councillors with many years devoted to public office. She retires after the local elections this year. Janet wished her a happy retirement. In brief, Nicki said we should:
a) Become members of our local civic association
b) Know who our councillors are
c) Know where our Sub-Council office is (Fish Hoek will be part of 3 wards after the elections)
d) More than ever, we need to interact with our councillors and get involved, keeping informed
e) Attend (if possible) local Sub-Council meetings
f) We must demand a responsible administration and be more aggressive with our elected representatives
g) Make use of the complaint tracking system at the civic centre
Nicki thanked the association for the years of co-operation and interest and wished her successor well.
Janet thanked Nicki on behalf of everyone and presented her with a farewell gift and a thank you gift for her talk.
3. MINUTE’S SILENCE IN MEMORY OF CLIVE WAKEFORD
Janet asked for a minute’s silence in memory of Clive Wakeford, who passed away in January.
- 4. MINUTES OF THE QUARTERLY GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 25th NOVEMBER 2010
Minutes were approved.
- 5. COUNCILLOR’S REPORT BY ALD FELICITY PURCHASE
5.1 Carlton Road Development
After complaints by Kim Kruyshaar, environmentalist and advisor to the association, the developer has been asked to remove the rubble/landfill which exceeds the designated boundary of the development near the wetlands. The association also wrote to record objections and concerns.
5.2 Budget Cycle
The Council’s budget will be advertised and available for scrutiny and comment at the civic centre.
5.3 Rates Rebate for Pensioners
Following the survey submitted by the Simon’s Town Civic Association on behalf of the Far South Peninsula Civics, the upper level of the rebate for pensioners in terms of income will be raised, from R8 000 to R10 000 per month.
5.4 Water Conservation
Felicity urged members to use water sparingly as dam levels have dropped considerably.
5.5 Traffic Issues
City engineers are reviewing the old road study, including Kommetjie Road. Councillors have asked for traffic circles. This may be considered at the intersection of Ou Kaapse Weg and Silvermine Road. Funds are available for this upgrade. In the meantime, the speed limit on Ou Kaapse Weg will be reduced to 70 kms per hour, with better signage.
5.6 Railway Line to Simon’s Town
Although not sufficiently advertised, the railway line between Fish Hoek and Simon’s Town has been re-opened.
5.7 Amenities, Beach, etc.
The Department of Sports, Recreation and Amenities will be split into two divisions: Amenities and Sports and Recreation. The summer season was successful and thanks are due to cleansing, law enforcement, traffic, fire and disaster management staff. Sub-Council is working toward training local maintenance staff to be multi-skilled. The Surf Lifesaving Club is planning an extension to the clubhouse. There are currently 800 members. This will be advertised in the media and comments will be invited. The Club is the largest in Cape Town and one of the largest in the country, also in terms of deepwater and surfski racing.
5.8 Voter Registration
Felicity reminded members regarding the next voter registration weekend, on 5th and 6th March.
5.9 Seaside Cottages
A meeting was held today regarding the leases and officials will shortly be announcing good news.
Questions were invited from the floor:
Broken pavements : Felicity urged members to use the complaint reporting system at the civic centre and specify area/s needing attention.
Mr Charles Hellyer raised two issues:
He considered the 70 km per hour speed limit on Ou Kaapse Weg ridiculous and felt that more attention should be paid to visibility and clearing the sides of the road.
Fines for putting wheelie bins out for collection the night before – this was not always practical. He had been issued a fine when his bin was actually within his property.
Felicity replied that the accident rate and studies made indicate a reduced speed limit is necessary.
The bin issue is an initiative by the neighbourhood watches who say that some criminals are using “bin picking” as a cover for criminal activity. Unreasonable policing by law enforcement officials may be contested at the civic centre.
- 6. TREASURER’S REPORT
Peter Kempster stood in for Allen-Rose Innes. He thanked Lorna Fulford for her activity as honorary treasurer and an earnest appeal was made once again for a new treasurer. The audit review has been carried out again on an honorary basis by accountant, Dennis Waterhouse. The financial statements were enclosed with members’ newsletters. Membership unfortunately continues to fall and currently stands at 380 households. Expenses in the last year have been towards legal costs, mainly, with fewer donations than the previous year. Legal fees were incurred in connection with the Carlton Road development, the Cape Town Zoning Scheme and the Dassenberg issue. The association subscribes to other civic organizations, i.e. The Far South Peninsula Community Forum, the Baboon Liaison Group and the Greater Cape Town Civic Alliance. The surplus for the year is R378, versus R1 273 the previous year. Total assets for the year ending December 2010 : R31 184 (R31 448 for 2009).
- 7. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT BY JANET HOLWILL
7.1 Licensing Centre and Jager’s Walk
Janet expressed thanks to Ald Purchase and the City for the new licensing centre and the upgraded parking at the civic centre. Also for the repairs to Jager’s Walk.
7.2 Informal Trading at Ou Kaapse Weg and Kommetjie Road
This area will be upgraded. A portable toilet has been installed again.
7.3 CTZS and SDF (Cape Town Zoning Scheme and Spatial Development Framework)
Thanks are due, especially to Allen Rose-Innes, for time devoted to the study of these schemes and preparation of comments thereon.
7.4 Building Departures, Development
Exco continues to monitor and comment regarding building departures and proposed developments, including the CID.
7.5 Beach
General maintenance at the beach, including benches, needs to be improved. The association is looking into ways to address this issue. Any creative ideas will be welcomed.
7.6 Silvermine Wetlands
An amount has been budgeted for the regravelling of the paths at the wetlands, but works have not yet been commenced. We hope that funds will be made available as part of the new budget cycle.
7.7 Dassenberg
Overgrown vegetation is being cleared, at last.
7.8 General
Janet said that exco works closely with other civics, including the Far South Peninsula Community Forum, with a view to a common vision for the Far South and also attends Ward Forum, Sub-Council and Greater Cape Town Civic Alliance meetings so we are kept informed.
8. ELECTION OF EXCO COMMITTEE FOR 2011
Felicity took the chair to accept nominations. As there were no further nominations and all present exco committee members were prepared to stand again, these were re-elected unanimously, with no objections. Mr Kim Fraser was recently co-opted onto the committee and has kindly agreed to remain. Janet thanked the committee for their hard work and commitment. Exco members are:
Janet Holwill, Steve Perrett, Allen Rose-Innes, Peter Kempster, Flip Rossouw, Bob Lockyer, Graham Child, Yann Mouret, Kim Fraser and Pat Schultz
9. GENERAL ITEMS RAISED
9.1 Artificial Lawn at Beach
Felicity said that the sand which had blown onto the artificial lawn will be removed once the windy season is over. This covering has been better than the original lawn and will be used in other areas as well.
9.2 Traffic Police and Main Road
In answer to a question regarding the number of traffic officers in Fish Hoek, Felicity said that there are no permanent dedicated officers in the area but two who are in attendance mostly in the mornings and at peak times. A further traffic deployment centre is planned for Muizenberg and funds are available to increase the number of officers. Cllr Qually replied to a question whether the one-way direction presently in force on the Main Road between St James and Kalk Bay could be reversed. He said that this was not logistically possible. Cyclists riding the wrong way on Main Road are being fine
9.3 Safety and Security Budget
Nicki urged members to comment on the draft budget. Last year 6% of the budget was allocated to Safety and Security. This is not enough! We need active personnel, fire engines, etc. Janet said that the association will put together a comment.
10. CLOSURE
Janet thanked all for attending and invited members to stay for refreshments. The meeting closed at 21h00.
