Local government shapes the lives of their citizens by making decisions and allocating funds for roads, parks, housing, public transport and more.
In Cape Town metro, subcouncils are the first point of contact with local government for residents to take part in the process.
“The City of Cape Town is a very big organisation and for this reason 21 subcouncils were created to be the closest point of contact for residents,” explains Marian Nieuwoudt, chair for Subcouncil 2 that covers the areas of Kraaifontein, Brackenfell, Soneike and Haasendal in Kuils River.
Nieuwoudt encourages residents to attend the monthly subcouncil meetings.
“Communities and residents who care for the area they live in must take the opportunity to attend subcouncil meetings as this is where issues of local government are discussed and inputs to policies considered,” she says.
The subcouncils also facilitate communication between City departments and the various neighbourhoods across the city.
Theresa Uys, the City’s Mayco member for corporate services and also a member of Subcouncil 7, which covers Durbanville and Vredekloof in Brackenfell, says subcouncils exist to make sure that the issues affecting the neighbourhoods in the city are heard by the line departments and are dealt with.
“Through the subcouncil residents can ensure that they receive important notices from the various City departments. A few changes were made to some of the subcouncil boundaries earlier this year,” she says.
Residents can approach subcouncils for help to register on the job seekers list and to register as a City Vendor. Community organisations may also register on the subcouncil database to receive important City notices relevant to their neighbourhood.
“Important service delivery and issues are discussed at the monthly subcouncil meetings,” explains Uys ranging from planning applications and service requests to residents’ complaints and recommendations to council. The City budget and that part of the budget allocated to wards and how it is to be spent are also discussed here.
“Public participation is a vital aspect of subcouncil work, which underlines the importance for residents to attend these meetings.”
Within each subcouncil are registered community-based organisations which are voluntary associations representing common interests within the area.
“These groups are very important to the City for communication and consultation purposes and that the City receives feedback from groups that have an invested interest in the issues presented,” says Uys.
She encourages community organisations to register or perhaps even re-register at their local subcouncils to ensure that they are mandated to speak on behalf of their communities. Such organisations fall within one of the ward committee sectors, which include sectors from arts and culture, business, civic-based, designated vulnerable groups, education, environment, faith-based, safety and security, sports and youth.
An updated calender of subcouncil meetings can be found on the City’s website.
The City’s easy look-up tool has a comprehensive database of all 21 Subcouncils and contact details via the following link: https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family and home/Meet-the-City/city-council/find-your-councillor-ward-or-subcouncil
