MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay, like many other South African municipal areas, faces the challenge of unemployment.
Existing businesses, landowners and entrepreneurs are also seeking to expand.
This results in an ever-growing informal trading sector, which in light of the Mossel Bay Municipality's GROW strategy, including growing the local economy as a focal point, is supported by the municipality.
However, if not controlled, to an extent, this could result in untidiness, a negative effect on pedestrian and vehicular movement, and it could be the cause of littering. Further effects may even include a negative impact on formal business areas.
At the open monthly municipal council meeting held on 26 October, council gave approval to the process and procedures of the Informal Trading Policy.
Purpose
The purpose of the policy is to support existing policies and by-laws dealing with informal trading, by providing a set of criteria for stalls and informal traders in private business spaces and to identify areas where informal trading may take place.
The adopted policy provides a set of criteria for stalls and informal traders in private business spaces, identifies areas where informal trading may occur, and provides guidelines on how to apply for such trading spaces.
Private properties
As for informal trading on private properties, with the correct zoning in place, the definition refers to a separate stall, structure or mobile structure on the same premises.
Only two informal trading stands/spaces may be permitted and a site development plan must be submitted, clearly indicating the trading areas.
The exit, access and parking must be implemented as per the plan submitted.
The informal trading area or stall may not negatively impact parking requirements or pedestrian movement. Where applicable, a relevant trading or business licence must be obtained from the municipal directorate, Community Services. Municipal services must be available and connections done in line with municipal criteria.
Municipal land
In the case of stalls and informal businesses on municipal land, 64 areas have been identified for informal trade, markets and business parks.
Applicants, with the exception of market stalls, must reside in the municipal area.
Other noteworthy criteria include that one trading space per location area will be offered to a maximum of three spaces in the total municipal area.
The municipality may, however, deviate from the allocated number per applicant, should there be instances of not all the available spaces being allocated. This is also to promote economic opportunities.
Applications must be made for a minimum of one calendar month, but not for more than 12 months. Selling and preparing of food will be allowed depending on the availability of services, as well as adherence to all the necessary health regulations and principles.
Application forms are available from Eunice Duitsjan (044 606 5000 or email to eduitsjan@mosselbay.gov.za) at the municipality or download them from the website of the Independent Entrepreneurs' Association (https://www.oev.co.za/).
Tariffs for informal trading are determined through the budget process and adopted in the municipal council tariff policy.
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