Sport clubs’ rental rates under fire

AS the rental rates battle rages on between Richards Bay sport clubs and the City of uMhlathuze, DA Chief Whip Christo Botha has been denied access to audio recordings of December’s council meeting at which post-opposition walkout action was taken on this and the soccer funding issue.

Clubs are readying themselves for a fight after being given a non-negotiable ultimatum by the municipality.

This despite the municipal speaker assuring councillors the clubs’ rental issue was on the agenda as a progress report and that negotiations could be ‘done at any time’.

All have been instructed to pay full commercial rentals for the year, after which no leases will be extended.

One club has been ordered to pay a monthly rental of R85 000 plus rates and taxes, and another R45 000.

These clubs are non-profit entities and cannot afford the exorbitant commercial rental.

All clubs have received a draft resolution from the municipality. This will not be signed without the clubs having seen the draft lease agreement.

Leases, especially commercial leases, must be based on an agreement between both parties following negotiations.

According to the clubs, there have been no negotiations.

While the municipality says it has passed a resolution on the issue, the clubs have been unable to acquire a copy of it.

The clubs are readying themselves for a legal battle, but continue to operate as normal in the interim.

Despite having gone through the official channels, and his request in line with the Promotion of Access to Information Act, Botha’s application for audio tapes from December’s meeting was denied as it ‘could reasonably frustrate the deliberative process of council’.

According to the municipality, the record contains ‘information pertaining to the protection of the functional operations in public bodies’.

‘The council meeting in question was a public meeting where no confidential items were on the agenda,’ said Botha.

‘I cannot understand why my request for a copy of the tapes was denied, and I do not deem the reason a valid one.’

Not only is the clubs’ rental issue from the December meeting a bone of contention, but the funding of Richards Bay Football Club is another.

Despite opposition parties opposing the funding and staging a walkout leaving council without a quorum, funding of R2.5-million was approved.

Last week saw yet another lively debate around the issue.

‘We do not agree with the municipality’s interpretation that opposition parties should have had a counter-proposal to the issue,’ said Botha.

‘Taxpayers’ money will foot the bill for the soccer funding, while other sport clubs are being forced to pay exorbitant commercial rentals.’

At the time of going to print, the City of uMhlathuze statement had not been received.

Clubs square up for legal fight