SFBRA hails march as a success

Yesterday’s march planned by St Francis Bay Residents Association (SFBRA) under the auspices of Fekrra was a great success the SFBRA says .

“It was gratifying to note the number of Sea Vista residents that attended the march and we thank those residents and businesses that transported people from Sea Vista.”

The SFBRA also thanks Mark Rowe of Balobi for the loan of his bus to ferry residents of Sea Vista to the march.

The SFBRA further states on a slightly sad note it was sent a communique from the ANCYL which stated this was a DA led march. The SFBRA denies this, maintaining it is an apolitical organisation and no political party was involved in yesterday’s march.

“We stand united in wanting the best for the greater St Francis Bay.”

As for potholes, the SFBRA also adds that yesterday further slurrying took place in Lyme Road South and more potholes were repaired at the entrance to St Francis Bay as well as in Lyme Road North.

See the list of grievances handed over to the Kouga Mayor, Booi Koerat, yesterday by the SFBRA, below:

See all the news about the march and several photos:

http://stfrancischronicle.com/2012/09/12/mayor-to-respond-in-14-days-to-marchers-grievances/

Photo Gallery: 

http://stfrancischronicle.com/2012/09/12/see-photos-of-the-march-in-jbay-this-morning/

Memorandum of grievances

We, the residents of St Francis Bay, Sea Vista and Cape St Francis are totally dissatisfied with the way that Kouga Local Municipality (KLM), is handling the affairs of our region.  There is a breakdown of our infrastructure and the 2012/13 budget is thoroughly flawed.  We also believe KLM incapable of fulfilling its obligations as the August 2012 financial report indicates that KLM is bankrupt.

The senior management of KLM is pervaded by a culture of arrogance (towards stakeholders), lack of transparency and unwillingness to face the reality of the Municipality’s critical financial position. This culture not only flies in the face of government policy, but contravenes our constitional rights. It is completely unacceptable. The municipality exists to serve the needs of the community. We demand an efficient, effective and transparent local public administration that conforms with both constitutional  principles and statute law.  An administration that engages actively with our community, in particular in planning, service delivery and performance management.  This is our right and we will accept no less.

Budget

• 2012/13 Budget needs to be redrafted to include our input and to comply with MFM Act.
• Five year business plan required for upgrading of infrastructure.
• Budget provision for the upliftment of the residents of Sea Vista.
• Council to urgently establish funding and method of strengthening the spit.
• Capital budget must include provision for comprehensive hydrological survey and construction of storm water drainage systems in Cape St Francis, St Francis Bay and Sea Vista.
• Infrastructure maintenance budget must include provision for resurfacing of our roads and road access to informal areas.
• Provision to replace old mains water pipes which are constantly bursting.
• Old Sewerage pipe through Sea Vista needs replacing to prevent on-going spillage of raw sewerage into the township.
• Beach toilet facilities to be upgraded.
• The 2012/13 budget must include provisions to upgrade road and street name signage.
• The capital budget must provide for the replacement of broken and aging vehicles and equipment.
• The KLM budget must provide an allocation for tourism promotion.
• Improved refuse removal especially in Sea Vista.
• Provision for curbing on our roads to prevent edge damage.
• More regular cutting of vegetation on all road verges, especially in Santareme.
• Council to provide land to enable the community of Sea Vista to build their own church.

Reports

• Council must indicate what action will be taken regarding the Gobodo and Auditor General’s report.
• KPMG report must be properly tabled and released.

Council commitment

• Stop political interference on municipal service delivery issues.
• Future sewerage Levy must be ‘ring-fenced’.
• Sewerage Levy previously paid must be recovered for original purpose.
• The percentage of KLM revenue expended on staff costs must be reduced and Council must immediately draw up a plan of action in this regard.
• KLM management must timeously respond to correspondence from stakeholders stating planned action.
• Council to pressurise Province to rebuild the SandRiverBridge, and to proceed immediately with the EIA..
• More commitment by KLM management to supervise municipal staff.
• Improved productivity by all municipal staff. 

The general deterioration of infrastructure is causing:

• The closure of local businesses and decreasing levels of employment.
• Reduction of tourism which is specifically affecting B&Bs and has also depressed employment.
• Decline in property values.
• Property owners looking elsewhere for investment opportunities.
• Intolerable and unhygienic living conditions, for Sea Vista residents.

Due to the previous lack of response to our requests and to the cancellation of your outreach programme we, the residents of st francis bay, sea vista and cape st francis, insist that a written response is received by friday 28^th september 2012 with an action plan to address the abovementioned issues. 

We want action from council not empty promises.

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