RAMSGATE RATEPAYERS’ & RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (RRRA)
Minutes of the 12thAnnual General Meeting Held On
28thMarch 2017 at 17:30hrs
Venue:Ramsgate Lions Community & Recreation Centre
1. / Welcome
The Chairman opened the meeting at 17:35hrs by welcoming allpresent. As the notice forthemeeting had been properly served and there was a Quorum, the Chairman declared the meeting duly constituted and opened. The Chairman paid tribute to Mrs. Hazel Voice as the founder chairperson,andthanked her for her foresight, energy, passion and wisdom for initiating the RRRA 13 years ago. Hazel is still very involved with Ramsgate with enforcing the No Fireworks policy and working closely with Conservancy. She has also the most amazing miniature collection which, if you have not already seen, you should make an appointment to view.
Chair also thanked CouncilorDave Watson for his attendance.
2. / Attendance
  • Presentas per Attendance Register 34
  • Councilor Watson (in attendance)

3. / Apologies
No Apologies received.
4 / Minutes of Feb 2016 AGM
The Chairman said that the Minutes had been circulated and asked if they could be taken as read – Proposed by Mr. Ant Brodowic and Seconded by Mr. Bruce Dickson. There were no Matters Arising from the 2016 AGM Minutes.
5. / Chairman’s Report
  • Olliver Ransome discussed his Chairman’s Report and highlighted certain issues. A full copy of this report was posted on the website. The key issues were:
  • The Special Rating Area (SRA/UIP) – Our primary project for 2016 was working to establish the SRA in Ramsgate. We have achieved the 51% needed for compliance with The Municipal Rates Act. Chair thanked, in particular, Richard Phillips, Carla Steenkamp, and one other resident from Ramsgate who wishes to remain anonymous. We are also very grateful to Sean Larkins for keeping our database updated and to Kate Mardon from the RNM rates office. It will not be a Section 21 Company, instead it will be run as NPO with community involvement and one of the new committee members will be Spokesperson for the Ratepayers. Councilor Watson felt the Budget will be done in May 2017 and SRA should commence in June 2017.
  • The Marina Ramble–This is our “Jewel In The Crown” thanks to John Scott and Phil Hampton for all their hard work and dedication. We urge all residents to treasure this Ramble and help to keep it in a pristine condition.
  • The Ramsgate Urban Renewal – There has been no action from RNM. However, the good news is Councilor Watson is pushing hard to incorporate Ramsgate and Southbroom in with Margate’s Urban Renewal.
  • Roads – The R620 is the responsibility of the KZN DoTand we have been meeting with one of the engineers in this department and voicing our concerns, which are stated in the Chairman’s Report. Doug Sparks has established the Roads Action Team (RATS) and it is proving to be makinggood progress. They meet every three months and 8 Municipality managers attend. The CSIRguidelines on road maintenance are that every 7-8 years the roads should be sprayed with pitch but all they seem to do is fix the potholes. Chair thanked Doug for all his hard work in this area.
  • Beaches & Beach Facilities– The Tourism Committee has acknowledged that our beaches are our prime business in this area and the responsibility for the beaches and facilities ought to be their responsibility, with Ratepayers, Conservancy and CPF having involvement as well. From the people involved, UGU South Coast Tourism have requested once this committee is formed they produce a regular report to them (of which a copy will go to Councilor Watson and KZNSCRRA) and hopefully liaise with the relevant municipal officials. Chair thanked Phil Hampton for all the amazing work he had done for the Ramsgate Beaches.
  • By-Law Enforcement – RNM have created a new separate department which has devised a good strategic plan. Councilor Watson has put a lot of effort into this as well. Chair felt that the taxi control was a lot better but traffic violations have not changed. In December a patrol car was visible however there has been no sign of the car since January. Hazel Voice thought that the fireworks were much better controlled than any previous year.
  • Service Charter & Customer Relations Management Software – The software is in place and the Service Charter is in place but the RNM are not keeping to the undertaking they promised. The Service Department seems to be working well. However, productivity is still a problem and the clocking in system is not being used and has been vandalized. MM has acknowledged that the salary bill is too high and a work study is being done. RNM have engaged Productivity SA. Councilor Watson has also created a database linked with complaints / services so he will be able to follow up the service provided.
  • UGU and Water – UGU have caused shocking crisis starting with the sabotage over the holiday season and the ongoing burst water pipes, the community has suffered terribly because of this. A big thanks must go to Councilor Watson and Wessel Pretorius on their push to put as much pressure as possible on UGU and keeping the community up to date with all the water problems.
  • The Website and Social Media – Mvumi Tsewu was thanked for her hard work in updating the Ramsgate Community part of the website – Chair encouraged people to advertise on the website. Also, Facebook page created by Doug Sparks is becoming very popular and he encouraged everyone to become friends on this.
  • Ramsgate Community Centre – This hall is for hire and the community is urged to make use of the hall for functions, meetings or parties to help with overheads which work out to approx R1,500 per month. RNM were supposed to fix the leaking roof, however, this was never done and this now falls to the Ramsgate Lions instead to fix the leaks. We need to use this facility or lose it!
  • The Future – Last Municipal Elections were a wake up call and we must continue with a paper trail of the service delivery problems of RNM and UGU and also make use of the media. Chair also thanked and commented on our Councillor Dave Watson on how energetic and enthusiastic he has been.
  • KZNSCRRA – Was formed 6 years ago and is an amalgamation of ratepayers in KZNSouthCoast. They have become the official voice for all ratepayer associations. It is very important for our area that they carry on.
  • In conclusion the Chairman thanked his outgoing Committee, Jenny & Rob Henry, Mike Berry and The Lions for the Community Centre, and also thanked Ray Basson for donating the screen and project., plus all who attended the meeting. He then handed the meeting over to Mr Grahame Cilliers to present the Treasurer’s Report.

6. / Treasurer’s Report
  • The Treasurer (Grahame Cilliers) presented and discussed the Income and Expenditure Account for 2016 in detail and thanked Mr. Brian Ter-Morshuizen for doing the Audit Report for 2016.
  • In summary:
  • Income was down from 2015 due to subscriptions and donations being down from the previous year. There are only 60 members out of approximately 3000 Ratepayers.
  • Total expenses were R16, 419 for 2016which is a lot less from the expenses in 2015 which sat at R47,844, this is due to:
  • Marine Ramble was R10,939 in 2015 compared to R3,378 in 2016.
  • Refuse skip, gates and cladding R5,300 for 2015 compared to zero expense in 2016.
  • SRA at a cost of R17,093 in 2015 compared to R3,594 in 2016.
  • The Balance Sheet assets stand at R39,473which consists of cash on hand and an investment account..
  • Mr. Cilliers indicated that there was a copy of the actual financial accounts at the meeting and that any member was welcome to scrutinize them after the meeting, if they so desired.
Mr. Cilliers enquired if there were any questions or objections from the floor,none were forthcoming, therefore the Financial Report was accepted as correct,by Mr. Ant Brodowic and seconded by Mr. Roger Makings. Mr. Cilliers thanked the members for their time and handed over to the Chairman.
Questions and Comments on the above Reports
Questions and Comments were then invited from the floor:
  • Mr. Wayne Briderstated that he was here for one reason only and that was to put in an objection on the SRA as the Police Act clearly states that Reservists are volunteers only. Chair felt this should be brought up with the CPF and also asked what Mr. Brider’s alternative would be. He felt we need to be good neighbours and look after each others properties. Chair pointed out that our property values depend on lack of violence in our area and the SRA will help this.
  • A ratepayer felt that Landlords have become greedy, this happened when Margate was having its heyday, this no longer exists.
  • Mr. Mike Geiger – Thanked Mr. Ransome for his long term as Chairman for RRRA. However, he felt that people are not becoming members of the RRRA as they are not effective enough. At this point Mrs. Sharon Turbull-Jackson proposed that Mr. Gieger stand for the Committee and see if he could be more effective, Mr. Gieger declined the proposal. Chair felt Mr. Geiger was very unfair to say we have achieved nothing. We are in a weak political situation and we need to maintain a win/win situation not ostracize ourselves from RNM and UGU.
  • Mr. de Jager was very disappointed in the turnout at Port Shepstone for the march regarding the water situation. There was only around 200 protested.
  • Mr. Simon Lee felt strongly that the only way RRRA could become effective is to work as a community and take on the RNM by withholding funds. He felt that we should be in control of our own funds and not the municipality.
  • Mr. Brider agreed.
  • Mr. de Jager felt it was important to remember that disadvantaged areas need to be upgraded. Chair agreed that we all need a place in the sun and our economic drive has to be tourism.
  • Mrs. Hazel Voice felt white people should attend the Imbizo, this is away to get your point over. Chair felt the Imbizo was not working as he used to regularly attend them but nothing was ever achieved.
  • CouncilorWatson took the floor and stated thatthis was one of the best attended AGM he had been to and congratulated Olliver Ransome for his drive on the SRA. He spoke on how he would like to incorporate Ramsgate and Southbroom into Margate’s urban renewal program. He feels very strongly that if Margate thrives we will also thrive and if Margate dies we will die. Margate beach will be changed to a much more vibrant beach and we will keep Ramsgate and Southbroom as the more sedate beaches. He felt the last 12 years have been difficult and that we are at the transformation phase. It has taken 11 years to amalgamate the Town Planning Scheme. Ward Councilors cannot change laws however we are the essence of governing. The 5 year strategic plan is always fluid. We set targets for December and all were exceeded. He also felt we can not compare with the Cape and other areas as we do not have an international airport or the Big Five to attract the overseas tourists, we are pushing for the domestic market. He also pointed out that our target market is four times what it used to be. Councilor Watson encouraged everyone to use the communication service that is available and fill in the form so we can start the tracking for non service delivery. UGU is not his domain but he felt that UGU are the biggest threat to our area. The process has started with UGU and there are a lot of good lawyers working on this, however, it will get worse before it gets better. Chair thanked Councilor Watson for all his positive words and asked if it was true that the RNM will no longer listen to Ratepayers Associations only to the Ward Committee. Councilor Watson asked that we give the Ward Committee one more chance and let’s see how it goes, it is a fault and it has to be addressed.

7. / Appointment of Auditors
  • Mr.Brian Ter-Morshuizen of “Icount” accounting firm was re appointed as Accounting officer.

8. / Election of Committee Members
  • Under the terms of our Constitution the following have been elected for a further year:Grahame Cilliers, Ray Basson & Doug Sparks. China Mkwanazi & Mvumikazi Tsewu will stand down but are available for re-election. The above named persons were elected unanimously.
  • Olliver Ransome, Sandra Wright and Phil Hampton stand down and are NOT available for re-election
  • Chairman’s position is available as Olliver Ransome has moved to the MargateRetirementVillage
  • Nominations: Mr. Bruce Dickson will join the above Committee and we are sure he will add great value.

9. / Why Isn’t The SouthCoast A Prime Position / Location?
  • Chair asked the question of why we are not a sought after prime location as our area does not lack for anything we have wonderful beaches and hinterland. However, our house prices are lagging behind. George Wright said that there are 4 to 5 new houses coming on to Property 24 daily in Ramsgate. People are “semigrating” to the Cape. The Municipal Manager said he was going to have a meeting with the stake holders and discuss a way forward. If a Stake Holders meeting is advertised all must attend. It is said that we have a 45% unemployment but in real terms it is more like 55%. We are sitting on a time bomb as jobs are generated by the Private Sector.

9. / General – discussed previously
10. / Closure
  • The Chairman thanked all present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 19h00. At this point Mr. Cillers and the remaining Committee presented gifts to Olliver Ransome, Phil Hampton and Sandra Wright to thank them for all their hard work through the years for RRRA.

Meeting closed at 19:00hrs

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RRRA AGM held MARCH 2017/sw