Capetonians may still comment on city's draft budget
image]]“It is important that we plan with the people of Cape Town and not for them through a collaborative approach. Our residents and ratepayers must therefore scrutinise the draft budget and send us their comments for consideration,” said the City’s executive deputy mayor, Alderman Ian Neilson.
“We have had to look very closely at balancing the City’s operational needs with the realities on the ground and the broader context in which we are working. We have looked at where we can trim the fat, work more efficiently, get more value for money and also alleviate the pressure on our residents where at all possible.”
The City has managed to keep its average increases markedly lower than in the previous financial year in most instances, although somewhat above consumer price inflation because of the Eskom tariff increase and the cost of repairs and maintenance, especially for water and sanitation infrastructure.
The proposed average rates and tariffs are:
In addition, the City is proposing that:
The total cost of the proposed social package for the 2016/17 financial year amount to approximately R2.5 billion. This comprises R1.1 billion for indigent relief and R1.4 billion for rates rebates
The cent-in-the-rand reduce by 7% for residential properties from 0.6879 c/R (2015/16) to 0.6397 c/R (2016/17).
The City’s draft budget, including budget-related policies and the proposed tariffs and property rates, is available at sub-council offices and libraries.
For more information, go to www.capetown.gov.za/en/Budget/Pages/Budget-2016-17.aspx. To submit comments, email az.vog.nwotepac@reganam.ytic, by 29 April 2016.