Ward committee procedure spelt out to residents

AFTER almost a 30-minute delay, a ward committee meeting detailing what processes are involved in nominating and electing ward committee members started with about 80 people present.

At the Bethelsdorp Community Hall, councillors for Bethelsdorp’s wards 32, 34 and 35 explained the process to residents.

Also present were officials including mayoral committee member Rano Kayser and municipal ward committee unit assistant director Gary Seale.

Kayser said the ward committees were there for residents to take part in decision-making.

“It is about taking ownership of the decisions affecting the wards,” he said.

Ward 35 councillor Trevor Louw said ward committees members would be elected by the people of each ward to serve the people of that ward.

“They are here to do a job and to serve our people,” Louw said.

Responding to queries from the audience, Seale said there would be training offered for those elected as ward committee members.

“We will also do a skills audit to ensure everyone has the necessary skills for the job,” he said.

Ward 35 resident Desire du Plessis said the ward where she lived was very large and asked how 10 people making up the ward committee would manage the area effectively.

Kayser agreed that the ward was one of the biggest in the metro, but that this would not be an issue.

“You can have subcommittees which would help in larger wards,” he said.

Nominations for ward committee members would be completed by mid-February, with elections in March, Seale said.

Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI IT WORKS LIKE THIS: Councillor Rano Kayser explains the procedure for ward committees to residents at the wards 31, 32, 34 and 35 information session in the Bethelsdorp Community Hall at the West End Centre