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GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route District Council's first general meeting of the year went off without a hitch, but included a few surprises in the chambers on Monday.
Mayor Memory Booysen kept his address to Council short, sharing his surprise with a call he received earlier the morning. The grandchildren of a former mayor of the district municipality, Andy Lamont, had given the municipality memorabilia, brought all the way from Norway, as a gesture of appreciation for their work during the fire disasters in the area (read this article on page 14 of todays George Herald).
The memorabilia consist of a few toys, including a fire truck, a police car and an ambulance. Booysen asked the executive manager of community services, Clive Africa, and the head of disaster management, Gerhard Otto, to find the perfect place to display these items.
Other highlights of the morning include the following:
The quest to find the best possible place to house the district's fire station is evidently going to take a little longer than expected. The current contract for the leasing of the property in Pioneer Road ends in June this year.
Council approved the extension of the current rental contract with Terblanche Transport (Pty) Ltd for another two years, to give themselves ample time to find the perfect place for their station. According to fire chief Freddie Thaver, the municipality would ideally want to erect their own building on their own property, with ample access to the main roads.
Garden Route fire chief Freddy Thaver (left), and the executive manager of community services, Clive Africa. Photos: Michelle Pienaar
Council approved an amount of R500 000 as a sponsorship towards the Transnet Ports Authority for the Mossel Bay Diaz Port and People Festival. The festival attracts a great number of tourists yearly.
PBI councillor Virgill Gericke highlighted the necessity to make sure the festival is a truly "inclusive event" and asked that Council should encourage full participation and integration for all communities in the area.
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There is a shortfall of approximately 20% on income generation for the months of July to December 2018. This came to light in the mid-year budget and performance assessment, an item on the agenda. The opposition (ANC and PBI) made note of this and asked Council to address the issue without delay.
"We mustn't be soft on incompetence. We are far off our targets. We pay officials competent salaries to execute the agenda of the municipality," said Gericke (PBI).
Municipal manager Monde Stratu
ANC chief whip Piet van der Hoven commented that only 7% of the funds allocated for the landfill site has been spent in the first term of the current financial year. Municipal manager Monde Stratu said a detailed report will be given at the next council meeting. After concerns were raised, speaker Eleanore Bouw-Spies ruled that a separate item will serve on these matters.
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