GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - At its monthly meeting on 22 February the Mossel Bay town council approved a recommendation that a consultant be appointed to investigate the possibility of the establishment of a metropolitan municipality consisting of the current Mossel Bay and George municipalities.
Speaking on behalf of the ANC, Councillor Stanford Mbandezi asked what the benefit to local residents would be to form part of a metropolitan council.
"Mossel Bay is far better managed than George," Councillor Mbandezi argued.
He asked how the level of service delivery that residents in Mossel Bay have become used to, and were proud of, would be guaranteed.
One of the arguments in favour of a metropolitan council was that, as a metropolitan council, application for housing development funds would be made directly to the national department of human settlements, and would not be determined by the provincial administration.
Provisions would be made in the 2018/19 operating budget for the appointment of a consultant, while the George Municipality will be asked to foot 50% of the expenditure.
The municipal manager was awarded the delegated powers to finalise and enter into an agreement with the George Municipality, setting out each municipality's obligations.
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