Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting, held at The Heritage Centre on 27th May, 2010
Present J. Oosthuizen (JO), T. Moore, A. Knight (AK), Ben Rheeder (BR), A. Cadman (AC),
M. Simms, C. Barratt, K & S Donaldson (KD&SD), B. Morsink, P. Oosthuizen (PO).
Apologies H. Thorpe (HT), W. Manser (WM)
Welcome JO welcomed all present.
Approval of minutes of March, 2010 meeting
The minutes, were approved. (BM & JO).
Finance
• Current Account balance at R73,928.00 and Stanlib at R164, 408.00.
• MS, AC and PO to get together to sort out Data Lists.
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Services
• BM reported that the Wind Breaks along the spit had been completed.
• High storms had washed some wind breaks away, but these had been re inserted.
• The Total cost to the Riparian Home Owners was R45,000-00.
• BM asked if the RA could arrange for the removal of the remaining bush at Hoby Beach.
• It was agreed to use the R7000.00 which was originally collected for the Beach Referendum to do this.
• KD reported that there was a lot of bush available from the Bush Clearing Project.
• PO to get Rob Lonsdale in touch with the Golf Club so that it could be used to boost their existing windbreaks.
• JO reported that the Green Drop report on Sewerage which he received had Jeffreys’ Bay non compliant in 7 out of the 9 categories. St. Francis Bay was non compliant in 4 out of 9.
Beach
• JO reported that Neil was in the process of installing more drains on the beach. These drains are being inserted every 50 metres.
• All windbreaks are now complete.
• A delegation from Mocambique will be visiting our beach with a view to installing a similar system in theirs.
• Another survey is due to be done shortly.
Nuclear
• The recently formed Thyspunt Alliance has been working hard on studying the Specialist Reports issued by Arcus Gibb.
• After a meeting of Interested and Affected Parties at Cape St. Francis, The Thyspunt alliance demanded that the Specialist who drew up the Reports be present at the next meeting to answer questions, that Arcus Gibb personnel could not answer.
• The Specialist Report Meeting was held at The Links on 25th and the Thyspunt Alliance pointed out huge flaws in the reports.
• The Thyspunt Alliance have employed the services of an Environmental Lawyer and are collecting donations towards the Nuclear Fund to finance these expenses.
• Arcus Gibb have now granted an extension of time for comment till end of June, on the current Draft EIA.
• A Second draft will then be published and a further 45 day comment period will then be applicable.
• The Chokka Industry has now also become involved in the Thyspunt Alliance and have uncovered glaring flaws in the EIA.
• A conserted effort is being made to get Eskom to consider the former “Homelands” as possible site options, as these were excluded from consideration.
• Given the results of the Draft EIA, all efforts are being made to discredit Arcus Gibb’s management, whom it is felt has done a rotten job.
• The community of Sea Vista are generally Pro the Nuclear Project, because they are under the impression that there will be large numbers of jobs available and that schools and clinics will be build by Escom. This is not the case.
• The Kouga Municipality have not attended any Nuclear meetings and we are told they are in separate negotiations with Escom. This is ominus.
Ward Matters
• BR reported that the revised Budget was received at 5.45pm on 25th and he was expected to comment on it by the following morning. Strong objection was made to this and it was agreed that a workshop would be scheduled to discuss the Budget.
• BR stated that no specifics were given to budget expenditure so it is very difficult to ascertain for which area it will be used. The Municipality are also constantly moving money around from one expense category to another, so it is difficult to keep track of things.
• BR felt that urgent attention should be given to the Sewerage levy and its implications.
• The Auditors Report is now available.
FEKRRA
• JO reported that it appears that the DA have co-opted many members of FEKRRA and they are now suggesting that FEKRRA be made redundant. This is most concerning because FEKRRA and the DA have different functions and FEKRRA is able to put huge pressure on the Municipality, whereas the DA could easily be outvoted by the ANC on any issue.
Canals
• Nearly finished dredging Ski Canal. About 40,000 m³ have been dredged. Outflow from the dredger has damaged parts of the spit.
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SOCIAL SERVICES
• AK reported that the Clinic in Sea Vista has been revamped, giving them an extra room for HIV counselling. A special bed needs to be made to fit there and rotary will sponsor it.
• AK felt that the Clinic was very well run.
• A building to use as an Orphanage is urgently being sought and the funding to maintain it and the children.
• Rob Smith from Woodridge has offered his services to train up Lifesavers from the Sea Vista Community. It was felt that this program should piggyback on the Sea Cadets. AK to implement.
• AK felt that the children of Sea Vista need some Cricket Playing facilities. Suggestions that Colin Beckley (Cricket Coach) be approached to assist.
• BR reported problems with the Social Worker in Sea Vista, who is constantly inebriated.
SECURITY
• April was a very bad month for crime, but thankfully May is much improved.
• It is felt that the improvement is due to the two Detectives who were moved elsewhere and are now back.
• TM asked that all appeal to the community to join NHW.
• TM said several letters had been written about the poaching but no response ever received.
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Fire Protection
• KD reported that Dewald informed him that nothing could be done now, due to lack of funds, we would have to wait for the new budget in July.
• KD felt that if only the Municipality could provide the Fire Station, Pumps and a salary for the Fire Officer, volunteers and kit could be accessed from donations. KD has been offered second hand kit from the UK but needs assistance getting it past customs. It was suggested that he speak to Mike Hay.
• BM recommended that KD speak to Stanley Baartman regarding the premises. TM to assist.
• KD has trained a crew on the Links which could also be accessed to assist with a fire.
• There is accommodation for about 16 people at the fire station, and this might be a good option for the Lifesavers.
• It was recommended that a separate account “Fire Fighting Fund” be linked to the Residents Association Account, so that donations can go into that and be ring fenced for Fire Fighting.
PO and KB to action.
Special Projects
• Nothing to report.
Aethetics
• CB reported that SFB Building Regulations complete and awaiting BR to push it through Council.
• CB also reported that new regulations state that Rates Clearance will only be given if the building is in accordance with the plans. If not, new plans to be submitted and fines paid.
• AK asked whether plans were required for Solar Panels and felt that this was counter productive in encouraging people to save energy.
• CB felt that there was an urgent need for proper Town Planning and that the situation of Trevor De Groot as a contractor needs to be finalised.
ADMIN AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
• Bulk mail to go out next week. Items, Fire (KD), Nuclear (HT), FEKRRA (JO) Beach (JO), Canals (BM), EIA Regulations (Frank Silberbauer) Appeals (PO)
• PO informed that dates have been set for the Appeals, but the list of people not yet released.
• PO informed that Pat Shamley had done quite a volume of work on the Data Base, and suggested that she be remunerated for it. An amount of R500 was agreed upon. Either in cash or voucher of some sort.
• JO informed that Hilton had requested reimbursement for his flight from Jhb. It was agreed that this be paid, but that it not be the norm.
GENERAL
• JO informed that PO had tendered her resignation effective from November 2010, thus allowing enough time to recruit someone else.
• CB offered thanks on behalf of the Committee for all PO’s efforts.
Date for next meeting 24th June. Venue to be advised.
