Chairperson’s speech: Subcouncil 8 meeting (20 November)
The busy festive season is almost upon us, and the City and Subcouncil are gearing up for another holiday season which will see thousands of visitors and holiday makers enjoying all that the Helderberg has to offer.
Grass cutting
Since the start of October, the Parks department has been mowing and cleaning up parks and public open spaces after the wet winter season. The budget for City Parks provides for 9 mows per annum and so mowing is concentrated over the spring and summer season to maximise impact and avoid wasting money during the winter season. On today’s agenda is a report on maintenance of sidewalks and verges which I will request be sent to the Ward Committees for distribution to the residents, with a particular emphasis on roles and responsibilities pertaining to weed spraying which takes place in spring and autumn.
Inspection of beaches
I have already conducted site visits to the beaches at Strand and Gordon’s Bay to ensure that facilities are up to standard and that these areas are suitable for visitors. I would in particular like to thank the Strand and Gordon’s Bay Residents’ Associations for the important role they play in alerting the City to issues and problems timeously so that the administration is able to respond in such a way as to enhance the experience for visitors and holiday makers to the Helderberg.
Public participation
The draft Coastal Management Programme is also on today’s agenda and will go out for public comment via the Ward Committees along with proposals for amendments to the dedicated sites for fireworks, which every year creates headaches for communities.
City ramps up services over Festive Season
The City will make the following services available over the festive season:
1 430 Metro Police, Law Enforcement and traffic officers patrolling our roads and beaches and conducting operations across the city
900 firefighters available for any major incidents
240 firefighters on shift at any given time at the City’s 30 fire stations
An additional 120 seasonal firefighters
250 lifeguards available a rotational basis; on average there will be around 70 lifeguards manning City beaches on any given day
1 864 temporary staff members to enhance the City’s cleansing services capacity
Safety on the roads and beaches
Road safety and safety on the City’s beaches are of particular importance in ensuring that we minimise preventable accidents. Since earlier this year, Traffic Services in the Helderberg has been conducting speed enforcement operations which will be stepped up as the Festive season approaches. A number of hot spots have been identified and fines have been increased dramatically.
Similarly, alcohol consumption on beaches and drinking and driving will be strictly policed to ensure safety of residents and visitors.
Cleaning operations
The Community Services Directorate will ensure that our blue flag beaches are kept in a pristine condition, and will prioritise the safety of beachgoers. The City has once again entered into a partnership with Lifesaving Western Province, who will deploy 250 lifeguards in addition to their volunteer services at all popular City beaches.
In order to deal with the increased demand on services during this period, the City’s plan provides for top-up cleaning services covering all business areas, scenic routes, and beaches throughout the metro.
A total of 1 864 temporary staff from the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) will be deployed to various areas and will provide the added capacity needed.
Street People campaign
The City’s Social Development and Early Childhood Development Directorate will focus on its Street People programme, with a dedicated team of 24 fieldworkers and a reintegration team on standby, along with the seven assessment centres in the city.
The directorate is expanding its Give Responsibly campaign in order to encourage the public, tourists and business people not to give hands-outs but to rather channel their generosity towards organisations that seek to assist those living on the street.
Festive Season Preparedness Plan
I believe our Festive Season Preparedness Plan will promote a safe, clean and enjoyable experience for all visitors and residents in Cape Town during the festive season. Further details of the plan are available here.
I would like to thank the residents and organs of civil society who make up the partnership which helps to ensure that the Festive Season is a happy, safe experience for visitors and holiday makers.
There are various communication channels which residents can use in the case of emergencies and I urge all residents to familiarise themselves with these important numbers to ensure that they know where to get help:
Where to get help over the festive season:
Call 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone for all emergencies
The Street People call centre is available on 0800 827 201
To donate R10 to organisations that assist street people, as part of the Give Responsibly campaign, SMS ‘Give’ to 38802
The 24/7 alcohol and drug helpline is available on 0800 435 748
I would like to thank the men and women who will be working hard over the festive season for their dedication and commitment and wish them well as they go about their much appreciated work while we celebrate with family and friends.
Friends of Radloff Park inaugural meeting
Last night I was privileged to attend the Inaugural Meeting of the Friends of Radloff Park in Somerset West. This is yet another example of the City working together with concerned citizens to not only maintain the parks but to move away from the old notion of a patch of grass, some penunias and a park bench making up a park to the establishment of real community-based parks which can become features in their own right, and attractive recreation and even business areas.
Already we have the very successful mountain bike track in Somerset West, and on today’s agenda there is a proposal for the development of a mountain bike trail in Strand and proposals around three areas in Somerset West, namely, Streuben Park, the park in Dummer Street opposite the mountain bike track and parts of Radloff Park. These will also go out for public comment and I would encourage other wards to also investigate how to best utilise the parks and public open spaces in their areas.
In conclusion
There are further items on the various departments’ budget spends in the past financial years, and proposals and business plans for this financial year. I would encourage councillors to use these documents to engage with the residents to ensure that we maximise service delivery in the subcouncil.
Finally, may you all have a blessed and relaxing Christmas and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2015.
I thank you.
Councillor Stuart Pringle
Chairperson: Subcouncil 8