GEORGE NEWS - Following George Mayor Jackie von Brandis' mayoral committee (mayco) changes at the end of February, word is out that the DA's Marlene Barnardt, the former MMC of planning and development, was given the boot to make space for Good councillor Chantelle Kyd.
The mayor has carte blanche to hand-pick her mayco - the councillors appointed to assist in decision-making and overseeing of municipal functions - and needs no approval from Council.
Von Brandis made good use of this, making some drastic changes to her mayco.
Good comes to the party
Brett Herron, Good's secretary-general, confirmed that Kyd's appointment comes after Good had agreed to co-operate with the DA in George.
"As part of the [coalition] negotiations, Good was offered the planning and development portfolio. After careful consideration, Good has accepted the partnership in principle, as this portfolio closely aligns with our goals of spatial justice. Cllr Chantelle Kyd will be joining the mayoral committee on behalf of the party."
The announcement was made during the ordinary council meeting on Thursday 27 March.
IN: Chantelle Kyd of Good, was offered the position of MMC of planning and development.
OUT: Marlene Barnardt, former MMC of planning and development.
Kruger out, Kritzinger in
The DA's Cllr Marais Kruger, who acquired quite a following on social media during the Victoria Street building disaster with his regular video updates, is no longer the portfolio councillor for financial and strategic services.
Kruger, whose financial background was regarded as an asset to this portfolio, was replaced by Iona Kritzinger, also of the DA.
Both Kruger and Barnardt were removed from their portfolios at the end of February. The changes were announced at the last council meeting in February.
IN: Iona Kritzinger, MMC of financial and strategic services.
OUT: Marais Kruger, former MMC of financial and strategic services.
More change
With Cllr Browen Johnson's election as deputy mayor as well as the chairperson of the EPWP oversight committee, the civil engineering services portfolio was given to Marchell Kleynhans, also of the DA.
IN: Marchell Kleynhans, MMC of civil engineering services (replaces Browen Johnson, new deputy mayor).
Kleynhans' former portfolio, MMC of community services (refuse, environment and parks), is now in the hands of the DA's Monique Simmers.
IN: Monique Simmers, MMC of community services (refuse, environment and parks).
The other two existing DA councillors serving on the portfolio for community services are Melvin Roelfse (social development, sport, libraries and customer care) and Brendon Adams (community safety and mobility).
The other members of the mayco are Von Brandis herself, Sean Snyman (speaker), Nosicelo Mbete (human resources), Jean Safers (human settlements), Theresa Jeyi (council whip), Donovan Gultig (electrotechnical services) and the ACDP's Johan du Toit (corporate services).
The salary of a mayco member is about double that of an ordinary council member - roughly R25 000 more.
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