MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Mossel Bay Municipal Council has approved the recommendation for the establishment of a Special Rating Area (SRA) for residents living around Vintcent Park near Park Primary School.
Vintcent Park is a small, grassy "green lung", with trees, where people walk their dogs and children play.
The council believes the SRA will contribute to the upgrading and renewal of the area, not only for the benefit of the immediate residents but the larger Mossel Bay community, municipal spokesperson Nickey le Roux says.
Council noted feedback from the required public participation processes and the objections received from some residents. It also heeded comments from the applicant for the SRA, which dealt with the objections.
Pensioners may benefit from an exemption of the special rate, should they apply in terms of the Special Rating Area By-Law, and the municipal chief financial officer considers the applications received against the qualifying criteria.
Council approved the motivation that the SRA be implemented as of 1 November. The additional rate will be calculated thus: owners of a property valued at R1 000 000 will pay R39.10 per month.
The additional rate is levied in terms of the Property Rates Act, read with the Special Rating Area By-law. All property owners within the boundaries of the SRA will be levied the additional rate. Owners who may qualify for exemption in terms of the Special Rating Area Policy, such as pensioners, can apply for this to the municipality.
A management body, being a Non-Profit Company (NPC), must be established to manage the Vintcent Park Special Rating Area and the Memorandum of Incorporation of the Company must stipulate that all registered owners will have equal voting rights. All affected owners will be members of the NPC. The council will also nominate the relevant Ward Councillor and one other person to attend and participate, but not vote, at the meetings of the management body.
The public will continue to have access to the park during daylight hours and the municipality will, where possible, continue to mow the park lawns.
'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'
