March 2025 minutes

WELCOME

Lӧtter Wepener welcomed those present.

ATTENDANCE REGISTER AND APOLOGIES

In attendance: Lӧtter Wepener, Jacques de Wit, Duard Scholtz, Dalien Pachonick, Sarel Marais, Ferenc Toth, Gibbon Schickerling, Robert Schroeder, Sue Muirhead, and Elizabeth Nel. Apologies: Willie Enright.

CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

The minutes of the meetings of 7 February 2025 were approved and the chair authorised to sign them.

CORRESPONDENCE AND CHAIR REPORT

1. Volo model – RESOLVED that Duard be mandated to discuss the return of the model with Brett Sievewright before legal action is taken.
2. Caravan park – Ndlambe officials visited the caravan park. A response regarding the proper management of the caravan park is awaited.
3. The Vlei issue – Was discussed with the mm, He was of the view that we should raise it again in the IDP.
4. Viking boat – Noted that the chair did again take up the matter of the abandoned Viking boat that is derelict on the river beach. No response was received from Ndlambe  officials.
5. Sanitation – A letter was sent to the MM and Director of Infrastructure. A response is still being awaited.
6. Electricity – We will follow up the installation of prepaid electricity at the tennis club house as well as the town hall. The chair to write for permission.

LEGAL MATTERS

1. POPIA – The chair will attend to BRRAG POPIA compliance in due course.
2. Insurance cover – The chair did write to the MM and ascertain what insurance cover is in place at the tennis club and Town hall, no response was received.
   According to Outsurance, public liability at the Town hall are covered.
3. River buoy management – A letter was sent to Ndlambe stating that BRRAG wish for proper management and controll over buoy placing in the river must be exercised to rectify the current uncontrolled and dangerous situation.
   The committee approved that the letter can be sent to Ndlambe.

FINANCE

The monthly accounts were sent to committee members, and it was noted that the accounts are healthy. Noted that no funds were forthcoming from the float event.
Approved that Lex Mitchel may place an advert on the WhatsApp group for his kayak rental for a fee of R 100. The final payment for repairs for a vehicle of a committee member damaged during her errands for BRRAG was approved.

VILLAGE MAINTENANCE

Robbie reported that all is going well.
Fuel usage – Fuel usage is high because of the additional mowing that is required.
Tennis court fencing – Duard advised that we may be able to obtain the tennis court fences that are being taken down at the Kenton courts.
Alien plants -The alien plant group complied a list and Jacques requested the municipality to deal with the issue.
Street signs – The traffic chief advised that the procurement of new street signs was delayed. RESOLVED that we utilse the signs in our storeroom and that we follow up with the traffic department.
Streetlights – Noted that streetlights were repaired but that new ongoing maintenance are required.
Sanitation – Issues were incorporated in the IDP submissions.
– The Klipfontein problematic wastewater plant will cost about R 3 million to upgrade.
– There have been no issues at the 4th Avenue conservancy tank.
– An audit was performed by Ndlambe regarding riverfront seepage. The result is still outstanding.
– Noted that the Dais Grande sewer pump station was upgraded.

RIVERSBEND

The Viking boat remains a problem, and a danger.
The chair did follow up with Ndlambe but there has been no response.
Robbie arranged for some low hanging branches to be removed.
Sue was encouraged to continue with an entrance project at RB.

VILLAGE INFRASTRUCTURE

Emergency lighting at TH – Jacques is arranging low lights for the hall and source a generator. Emergency water at TH – Duard is busy with the water tank at the hall. Outside lights at Tennis clubhouse – Duard will attend to the new outside lights at the tennis club. Emergency water at Tennis clubhouse –  DECIDED that Robbie and Duard will investigate the possibility of installing an emergency water supply at the tennis club house.

STAFF

Maintenance employees
– The two new employees received a three-month contact to be reviewed in due course.
– Robbie advised that the two new maintenance employees were an asset to us.

ESTUARY CARE

Dune matter – The process is underway to obtain a specialist opinion which will be submitted to Ndlambe. A collaborative approach is sought rather than litigation.

WARD COMMITTEE

Nothing new.

FIREFIGHTING

Duard is speaking to Mark Jameson for assistance to register the trailer. After registration, it must be insured.

CHAMBER OF BUSINESS

Nothing to report.

NRF

Nothing to report.

WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK

Suggestions regarding updates of the website will be collated.

NEWSLETTER

Next newsletter will be after our next meeting.

IDP

IDP: – Our comments on the IDP were submitted. We owe Jacques a huge debt for putting this comprehensive successful document together.  The response from the IDP manager was: – ”What an excellent job. …I am particularly appreciative of all the detail with specific reference to the base document. Thank you for the time and effort that you have put into compiling all the information. I will ensure that the information forms part of your ward-based plan and that it informs the IDP 25/26”. Elizabeth was thanked for compiling the base document. The IDP manager further suggested that our IDP submissions also be sent to our Ward Counsellor Zandilsile Myali zetmyali74@gmail.com (Cell 078 8377660) as well as that it must be tabled at Ward meetings.

GENERAL

Ferenc proposed a big screen for rugby matches in the hall where entrance fees can be charged. There has been some concern about the cleaning of the hall between different parties utilising it. Elizabeth offered to assist with cleaning, if requested.