The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) responded to the provincial government’s concerns regarding some pressing issues.
These issues include infrastructure and service delivery, economic development and spatial planning, as recorded in the reviewed Integrated Development Plan of 2014/15.
Under infrastructure and service delivery, the province raised concerns about the lack of universal provision of basic services.
In response, the EMM stated that the cost of the services exceeds R2-billion and that the matter is receiving attention within the metro.
The EMM added, “One of the matters being investigated, as part of the medium term budget policy, is the alignment of social support with the national policies to ensure the cost does not exceed the equitable share. This will include a review of the R150 000 assessment rates exception to households according to the Municipal Property Rates Act.”
Free electricity
In a bid to make services available to everybody, the EMM provides free basic electricity.
“In terms of the current free basic policy, provision is made for free basic electricity of 100 Kwh per month to all Tariff A user with an average consumption of less than 450 Kwh per month,” said the EMM.
According to the EMM, all consumers presently falling under Tariff A received 100 Kwh irrespective of whether they are using more than 450 Kwh. In the 2015/2016 budge, the council proposed that consumers who fall into Tarrif A and who use more than 450 Kwh should not receive the free 100 Kwh.
Bucket system
The provincial government also cited concerns regarding households still suing the bucket system.
The EMM said, “We have no record of any households in the metro still using the bucket system. It is possible that in some of the farm holdings the bucket system is still in use which, we are unaware of.”
Economic development
The EMM said it is in agreement with the provincial government to expedite the implementation of special economic zones.
“Ekurhuleni, with its manufacturing infrastructure and transport networks such as a rail, air and road, is poised to accommodate the manufacturing of green products,” said the EMM.
The EMM also said it is running three flagship programmes which are relevant for the modernisation of the economy. These flagship projects are the aerotropolis project, township economic development and the revitalisation of the manufacturing sector.
Spatial planning
In response to the provincial government about the creation of an inclusive and viable spatial planning, the EMM said it is embarking on a corridor or node, driven in line with the national treasure urban network strategy integration zone model.
“The EMM is currently developing a Strategy Implementation Plan (SIP) for its 2055 GDS, which will meet the requirements outlined in the communiqué for the MEC.”
According to the EMM, the spatial planning is set to link corridor or node planning, and captivate transit-orientated development and precinct planning.
