Concern over effect of rezoning on workers
2006-05-11
IN recent months several applications for rezoning and subdivision of farms in Drakenstein were received by the Municipality.
At a recent meeting of the Mayoral Committee (Mayco) members looked at the possible implication of this to farm workers.
While Mayor Charmaine Manuel expressed herself in favour of progress, she is also concerned about the possible plight of farm workers.
“How does it affect the workers?” she wanted to know and asked the officials if there would be a way to give permission for rezoning and subdivision without affecting workers in a negative way.
David Delaney, acting head of planning, suggested two possible ways: firstly the Mayco can ask applicants to give a written confirmation to Council to this effect, or, secondly a paragraph on this issue may be added to the application form.
Councillor Arthob Petersen, portfolio holder for housing, supported the second suggestion.
“It is incumbent upon us that we express our serious concern on the pattern of rezoning.”
He said that while they did not want to stifle development, it might in some cases have an adverse effect on the workers.
“These workers eventually become part of our statistics of people living in informal areas.”
Committees
* The Council has decided to establish six portfolio committees in terms of Section 80 of the Municipal Structure Act.
These committees serve only in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and Mayoral Committee, in contrast with Section 79 Committees, where members have more power.
The six committees approved, with a chairperson and a deputy chairperson, are:
* Corporate and Strategic Services, with Councillor Abe Bekeer (ANC) as chairperson and Ester Kearns (FD) as deputy.
* Financial Services, with JT Basson (ANC) and Marthinus Le Hoe (ID).
* Planning, with Matthys Nothnagel (ID) and Dan Kotze (ANC).
* Social, Local Economic and Rural Development, with Claud Julies (ID) and Boniswa Sishuba (ANC).
* Housing and Infrastructure, with Arthob Petersen (ANC) and Bazil Vos (ID).
* Sport, Recreation, Youth, Culture and Community Safety, with Siena Saaiman (ANC) and Joseph Appollis (ID).
The ANC will have four representatives on every committee.
The DA will have three members on the first four and four members on the last two.
The ID will have one representative each on Corporate, Financial and Social Development, two each on Sport and Housing, and three members on Planning.
The WCC will have one representative each on the Financial and Sport Committees.
The other three parties will each have one representative: Freedom Front on the Financial Committee, FD on Corporate and the ACDP also on Corporate.
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