The Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) establishment process has had significant progress in securing support, however the required 51 percent support of the 525 commercial owners by the end municipal deadline of end January 2014 was not reached.
So far 44 percent of the total value of commercial owners, which represents 18 percent of property owners, have committed their support.
The Steering Committee is confident the necessary support will be achieved given adequate time and has therefore decided to continue driving the petition process to achieve the official 51% support threshold, according to UIP manager Clare Swithenbank-Bowman, who said the intention is “to not only secure significantly more that 51 percent support but to build collective support for the UIP establishment which will take place in 2015”.
The residential properties within the UIP are limited to Compensation Road and will not be included in the official UIP / SRA establishment process with the municipality, should the UIP be established.
“Residential body corporates are being approached to become voluntary members of the UIP. We will be presenting at AGM’s over the next six months to secure the required support,” said Swithenbank-Bowman.
The UIP’s mandate is to provide an accountable governance and management structure which will significantly improve public areas and quality of life thereby creating an environment that supports vibrant business, builds investor confidence and secures property values.
The core functions of the UIP are to establish municipal partnerships which optimises service delivery, motivates collective property owner efforts to improve the precinct as a whole, provides privately funded supplementary services including cleaning, maintenance, greening and security, implement a communication network and fault report and service request system, serve as a catalyst for social and environmental responsibility, and ensure appropriate branding and marketing of the precinct.
UIP management encourages anyone interested to attend the regular UIP presentations at the Chamber offices.
Email Clare Swithenbank-Bowman for more information or to send her your signed form at clare@ilembechamber.co.za.
