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Gary and Retief Highlight Service Delivery Successes

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This morning Cllr Gary van Niekerk, Speaker of Council & Cllr Retief Odendaal Executive Mayor on Nelson Mandela Bay highlighted service delivery successes achieved by the newest coalition government saying:

While the nature of council meetings are a robust sharing of opinions and sparring of ideas, the golden thread of what we do must be to put the citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay first. I can proudly share that as the Speaker of Council under the current coalition government – we have started to bring back dignity and productivity to our council meetings.

Upon the invitation of the Chief Whip of Council, I have committed myself to attending multi-party whippery meetings held in advance of council meetings, to ensure that the flow of council meetings is discussed, in an effort to ensure a smoother program.

The last two council meetings in Nelson Mandela Bay (2 February 2023 and 17 January 2023) are testament to this, with all agenda items considered and debates conducted robustly yet civilly.

In fact, I can proudly confirm that there are no outstanding items that council has yet to consider. All reports from standing committees that held meetings up to December last year have been before the Mayoral Committee and have been considered by council.

A high level summary of some the items considered and approved by council since the new coalition government took office in September 2022

26 budget amendments (including but not limited to)

  • Sewerage Treatment Works Projects
  • Schoenmakerskop water pump station
  • Stanford Road water pump station
  • Kwanobuhle water pump station
  • Other Drought Mitigation Projects

Policy review process commenced

  • SPLUMA by law
  • Information Security policy
  • ICT Disaster Recovery plan
  • Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure Policy
  • ATTP Policy (to increase access to free basic services)
  • Development of an Environmental Management Plan for the Swartkops Estuary
  • 82 Land Use Applications considered
  • 5 permanent MBDA Directors appointed, process to augment these commenced
  • MPAC Terms of Reference approved
  • Fleet Management services – Accident Damage Reporting SOP approved
  • IPTS Turnaround Plan
  • Water Services Development Plan
  • Electricity Meter Management Policy
  • Hosting ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
  • Approving Recreational / Arts Events to be held over the Summer period
  • Establishment of a Safety Sector on the Beachfront
  • Urban Agriculture support to emerging farmers
  • Solar High Mast Lighting Pilot Project
  • Noting of the Annual Report
  • Noting of the Mid Term performance assessment report
  • Appointment of Acting ED’s
  • Reducing water tariffs from part D to part C

If we want to get Nelson Mandela Bay working again then it is incumbent on us to ensure that council works, creating an environment for a well-functioning local government. The regular sitting of council meetings, that are productive and able to pass items that put service delivery at the forefront is a feature we wish to make a hallmark of this coalition government. We are committed to making this a reality, our coalition partners are committed to making this a reality, and I’m certain other parties represented in council are also committed to Getting NMB Working Again.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.