News Highlights from City of Cape Town Council Meeting: 28 March 2007

HEADLINES

• South Peninsula receives City grants
• Plumstead traffic circle to be upgraded
• City expands Dial-a-Ride service
• Fire fighters get R21 million in overtime pay
• R2,7 million boost for HIV/Aids treatment
• Glencairn gets boardwalks
• Tougher by-laws to promote fire safety
• R400 000 for Imizamo Yethu projects
• City reconstitutes Language Committee
• Indigent grant limit increased
• Electricity for informal settlements
• R151 million for 2010 electricity needs

The installation of parking bays at Kirstenhof Primary School and the trimming of eucalyptus trees in Bergvliet, are some of the ward allocations that the City of Cape Town has approved for the South Peninsula Sub-council. Other projectsi nclude the removal of graffiti in Constantia Hills, Tokai, Steenberg, Kirstenhof and Lakeside. The Ocean View Football Association of Masiphumelele will also receive soccer equipment.

Media enquiries:

Desiree Mentor
Manager: Sub-council 19
Tel: 021 784 2011

The traffic circle next to the station in Southfield Road, Plumstead is to be upgraded at a cost of R35 000.

Media enquiries:

Brian Ford
Manager: Protea Sub-council (20)
Tel: 021 792 2493

The Dial-a-Ride service, which provides public transport for persons with special needs, is to be expanded to include metered taxis. The City of Cape Town has approved a budget of R43 million for the next four years. The Western Cape Department of Transport has agreed to provide an amount of R10 million for the next four years. Since its launch in 2002, an external operator, iKapa Travel & Tours, has operated the service. The City has agreed to extend the current contract until the service goes out on competitive tender.

Media enquiries:

Louis Holtzhausen
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 4724

With a critical shortage of 689 posts in the City's Fire and Rescue Services, the remaining 698 staff members have been forced to work overtime particularly during the high fire season. Council has thus approved an additional R21 million for overtime pay. Another R5 million has also been budgeted to immediately appoint another 40 trained fire fighters.

Media enquiries:

Pat Adams
Director of City Emergency Services
Tel: 021 590 1720

City Health is to receive an additional R2,7 million to fund increased expenditure at its anti-retroviral sites to treat HIV/Aids patients. The funds were allocated by the Western Cape Provincial Administration.

Media enquiries:

Dr Ivan Toms
Executive Director of Health
Tel: 021 400 2100

The City of Cape Town has approved R65 000 for two boardwalks at Glencairn Vlei in Clovelly. Over the years, the Friends of Glencairn Vlei and the City's environmental officers have maintained the vlei and established a path way around the vlei. Two boardwalks will be built over sections that become inundated by water during the rainy season.

Media enquiries:

Natalie Newman
Strategy and Planning
Tel: 021 710 8049

The City of Cape Town has tightened its by-law relating to community fire safety. Owners and managers of premises will now be held accountable for patrons who contravene the lighting or smoking law. Registered owners of vehicles will also be held responsible for any burning cigarette or match thrown from a vehicle. The onus is now on property-owners to prepare and maintain firebreaks.

Media enquiries:

S Martin
Fire Service
Tel: 021 590 1714

A footway is to be built on next to the Main Road, from Mandela Drive to Hughenden Road to link up with the pedestrian crossing serving the Oranjekloof Primary School. Timber play equipment at the local play park will be replaced with more durable metal equipment, and fencing will be erected around the milkwood forest near the post office, as well as to enclose the local football field.

Media enquiries:

Marius Coetsee
Manager Good Hope Sub-Council
Tel: 021 487 2055

The City of Cape Town has appointed the following councillors to its language committee. They are Cllr Pieter van Dalen (DA), Cllr Rosemary Rau (DA), Cllr Heather Brenner (DA), Cllr Boyisile Mafilika (ANC), Cllr Melody Klaas (ANC), Cllr George March (ID) and Cllr Gerald Siljeur (ACDP).

Media enquiries:

Cllr Dirk Smit
Speaker of Council
Tel: 021 400 1285

The upper limit of the City's indigent grants for Council housing has been raised to a household income of R1 740 per month from the current limit of R1 640 per month. The new total is equal to two State old age pensions.

Media enquiries:

Wayne Muller
Housing Finance
Tel: 021400 5122

The City of Cape Town is to spend R4 million on the electrification of various informal settlements that will enable connections to a further 1 000 dwellings before winter.

Media enquiries:

Roger MacFarlane
Electricity Services
Tel: 021 386 6280 x 223

A total of R151 million has been budgeted over the next two years for the reinforcement and extension of the electricity distribution network in the CBD, to support the new 2010 stadium in Green Point.