Tweni needs support for UIP

The Umtentweni Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (URRA) hosted a meeting at Port Shepstone Country Club last Thursday to introduce the vision of initiating an Urban Improvement Precinct in the area.

The purpose is to bring pride and security, and make Umtentweni a living suburb for all its ratepayers, visitors and businesses.

The Urban Improvement Precinct /Special Rates Area (UIP/SRA) mechanism is based on the Municipal Property Rates Act of 2004, which makes provision for the establishment of Special Rating Areas.

A large number of residents attended to question the role of the UIP which in the long run will attend to issues including ageing infrastructure, water problems, crumbling roads and rising crime.

UIPs are defined areas where the majority of property owners (51%) agree to pay an additional nominal amount for supplementary services, to complement those provided by the municipality. At present the committee has proposed a levy of R100 a month on the RNM rates bill for Tweni.

“The system is working in Southbroom,” said Eric Annegarn, Southbroom Ratepayers’ Association chairperson. “In the past 17 years of the municipality collecting levies on our behalf and then paying the money across each quarter, there has never been an incident or non-payment of the levies.”

URRA chairperson, Chris Connellan, said they feel that they must take on this initiative now to help improve and maintain Umtentweni before it is too late. “We need the majority of our residents, whether you own a house or a unit in a complex or a vacant property, to get involved and make a positive change. We cannot sit and do nothing about the potholes and crime, we need to take action. As residents, we can’t do anything to the municipalities or Eskom, only the national government can change that. Working together as residents, we can make small changes within our community by working as a team.”

For the UIP to function the URRA needs a board of members which must be elected by the property owners. The UIP board must approve an annual budget of services rendered. The budget is approved annually by the municipality, together with the finance agreement. Voting is in process and the committee needs 50 plus 1 votes.

Many residents provided their input, but some concerns were raised. These included that Ray Nkonyeni Municipality will use the ratepayer’s money and do less and that residents already pay rates so they should get proper service delivery.

Cllr Leon Garbade raised the importance of the UIP. “If you wish to maintain a healthy, clean and secure environment for your community, this initiative is the best way”

The acting CFO of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Vuyani Gqoboka, assured all that the municipality could not use the money. “The money is ring-fenced. When collected, it is recorded as a liability unit paid over directly to the UIP bank account and is audited by the auditor general.”

Voting forms will be posted via email to all registered Tweni property owners. This can be returned via email to umtentweni.uip@gmail.com or posted in the collection boxes placed at Jaxx Restaurant and Umtentweni Library.

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