Property rates are the most important source of revenue for a municipality, especially in developed areas; revenue used to fund services that benefit the community as a whole.
A forum to discuss the interests of ratepayers thus forms the basis of accountability in local governance.
To this end, a general meeting aimed to re-establish a recognised Ratepayers Association in Brackenfell was held in Ferndale last Tuesday evening.
The venue in Ferndale was packed with some 70 rate payers who discussed in earnest the urgency and benefits of such entity in the ever-growing suburb.
While any citizen may engage with the City council, a ratepayers association is officially mandated to represent the interests of residents at the City’s council or subcouncil.
“Being registered, and therefore recognised as an interested party with council gives a ratepayers association official representation of matters concerning what happens in Brackenfell,” says Peter Sutter, a founder member of the ratepayer’s association that became active in Brackenfell in the late nineties. However, this body was not re-registered with the subcouncil in recent years. Henceforth, as a continuance, a Brackenfell Rate Payers Facebook page was started that garnered the support of about 1 500 residents.
“The Facebook page afforded residents to make service delivery and other complaints that we would take up with council,” says Sutter.
According to Sutter, Brackenfell is currently faced with a flurry of challenges. He says the ongoing high-density development is swallowing up the suburb, where plans are continuously approved without considering the rights of residents and ratepayers.
“This should not be happening in a democracy. Residents should have a valid say in what happens in the areas where they live.
“An unprecedented increase in road traffic in the absence of public transport, and taxis driving recklessly in neighbourhood streets have become a pressing issue. To exacerbate things, traffic law enforcement is not affective. Also, the Brackenfell train station remains problematic.”
Other items on the agenda included discussion around the planned Vergenoeg and Ruwari residential developments.
“Brackenfell is a modern town and it is pleasant to live here. In the face of rapid urbanisation as a ratepayer’s association we want to keep it that way as best as possible,” says Sutter.
Following the meeting, a list of names was drawn up of candidates making themselves available to serve on the executive committee, whereafter a vote will take place on 13 March at 19:00 at the Delida Coffee Shop at the Brackenfell-West Dutch Reformed church in Ferndale.
For more information contact ratepayers@brackenfell.org.za
