Newcastle ratepayers given until Friday to have their voices heard
Residents have been afforded an additional two days to make submissions on the draft budget.
Newcastle Municipality has extended its deadline for submissions on the draft budget for the 2020/2021 financial year.
The deadline is now Friday, June 19, giving residents and business two additional days to submit their comments and suggestions. Tariff increases of 6.22% for electricity and 5% for rates and other services will come into effect from July 1, once the budget is finalised this month.
ALSO READ: Tariff hikes proposed in Newcastle Municipality’s draft budget
Municipal spokesperson, Mlungisi Khumalo, attributed the fact that the document was inaccessible from the Newcastle Municipality website until yesterday (June 16), to a technical glitch. He said the municipality’s decision to extend the deadline for submission was based on the understanding that some people were able to view the budget on the website, while others could not.
Covid-19 restrictions have posed a challenge to public consultation, making it impossible for the municipality to host the road shows which usually take place prior to the approval of the budget. In light of this, Mr Khumalo urges residents to express their thoughts on the draft budget by either phoning the municipality, posting on the Newcastle Municipality Facebook page, or sending an email.
Click here to access the draft budget and share your thoughts with us. Whatsapp 079 256 7570 or email estella@caxton.co.za
