Councillor seeks answers from mayoral committee
MELROSE – It is anticipated that Council approval will be sought to invite tenders for the development and long-term lease of the property by October this year.
Ward 74 councillor Dave Fisher sought answers from the mayoral committee regarding the Melrose Bowling Club.
Ward 74 councillor Dave Fisher asked MMC for Economic Development a few questions regarding the Melrose Bowling Club. Residents around the bowling club have been seeking answers, and with little progress made in trying to obtain answers from other entities of the City, Fisher directed the questions to the mayoral committee.
“The Melrose Bowling Club is a City-owned building with associated recreational grounds. It was leased to an educational institution until the lease was cancelled because the land use did not match their requirements. Since then, it has deteriorated to the extent that the abandoned property is a hazard to the surrounding suburb,” explained Fisher.
He proceeded to ask if there is a current lease over the property and with whom. In response, MMC Lawrence Khoza stated that from May 2019, the subject property was leased to Sikhethe Wena Projects (Pty) Ltd for a period of five years for sports and recreational purposes. The lease was entered into after a public tender process.
According to Khoza, the company submitted a letter in April this year, requesting the cancellation of the lease agreement. Among other reasons, this was due to their inability to secure sponsorship to initiate the proposed projects. The reason most cited for the reluctance to sponsor has been the short duration of the lease term. Five years is deemed too short.
Councillor Fisher proceeded to ask why the lessee had not been required to do upkeep and maintain the property. In response, MMC Khoza stated that in terms of the lease agreement, the tenant was liable for the upkeep of the property.
“However, due to their inability to secure funds to initiate projects or activities, they were unable to meet any of the maintenance requirements.”
“What action has been taken to rectify this lack of upkeep and maintenance of the property by the lessee?” Fisher asked. The MMC responded by stating that Joburg Property Company (JPC) has, through the supply chain process, sourced grass cutting services from Joburg City Parks. He added that grass cutting has been initiated by City Parks, pending finalisation.
The councillor then asked what the current status of the process to find a suitable lessee for the property was.
Khoza responded by stating that the resolution, passed by Council on 24 January 2013, for the lease of the property for a period of nine years and 11 months has run its course. “A report to seek approval for the development and long-term lease of the property will be submitted to Council once comments have been received from Council departments and entities.”
In conclusion, Fisher asked what the timeline is to complete the process to find a suitable lessee for the property.
“It is anticipated that Council approval will be sought to invite tenders for the development and long-term lease of the property within the next four months (October this year). After Council approval, the finalisation of a tenant will be concluded within two months in terms of the Supply Chain Policy for Land (December 2021),” Khoza responded.
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