Snippets from Council
At the last monthly municipal council meeting on Thursday, 27 September, a number of salient issues worth noting were discussed:
New ANC Chief Whip
The current ANC Chief Whip in Mossel Bay, Councillor Jovan Bruinders, announced his decision to step down from that position. Recently appointed to the position as the ANC chairman of the region, serving on a higher structure means he must relinquish management positions of any lower structure. Councillor Peter Lechaba will take over as chief whip in an acting capacity until further notice.
Tarka restoration land claim
Council approved an amendment of a previous resolution to finalise the Tarka Restoration (Community) Land
Claim at the request of the Land Claims Commissioner.
Approval was granted for the release and alienation of 28 serviced and eight unserviced erven situated in Tarka as well as nine erven in Extension 6 in Mossel Bay.
These erven will be alienated at a discounted, differentiated rate. A reversion condition will be included in the Deed of Sale as well as in the Title Deed that no beneficiary will be entitled to sell the property within ten years of registration to any person other than a co-claimant, failing which the property will revert back to the municipality.
After the completion of a public participation process, the item will be referred back to council for further consideration, taking into account the comments received from the public.
The chief whip of the ANC, Councillor Bruinders, said the Land Claims Commission should be thanked. "Today we can say there is hope."
Official naming policy
Council approved a recommendation to adopt the Naming Policy of the Mossel Bay Municipality.
The adopted policy will be made public and residents will be made aware that they may do submissions in terms of this policy. The intention of the policy is to ensure a clear, inclusive and consultative process which enjoys both public and political support.
The ANC welcomed the initiative yet asked that councillors workshop the proposed policy before it is finally approved.
MosJazz Festival
Council approved, amid several strict conditions the dates for the next MosJazz Festival that will take place from 17 to 20 January at the De Bakke/Santos Resort and beach area. Permission was granted that the beach and parking area may be cordoned off for the duration of the event. Firefighting services, the presence of lifeguards, traffic department assistance and beach cleaning will be provided to the organisers free of charge. However, the organisers will be responsible for the clean-up of the festival arena and beach. Electrical consumption charges will be waived.
Furthermore, the relevant by-law will be waived to allow for the sound amplification, although the organisers have to comply with the Western Cape Noise Control Regulations and conditions imposed by the Mossel Bay Municipality. Council did not expand on what these conditions are.
The consumption of alcohol on the beach will be allowed, providing the necessary liquor licence and events application are approved by the relevant authorities. The organisers will also have to provide the necessary security to the satisfaction of the municipality.