UIP CEO Brian Wright replies:

We will endeavour to answer questions related to the UIP establishment and operations, however questions relating to municipal performance need to be directed to the municipality.
The aim of UIP is to provide an accountable management and governance structure which will significantly improve public areas and quality of life of all users; creating an environment that supports vibrant business, builds investor confidence and secures property values.
Core functions are to establish municipal partnerships which optimise service delivery, motivates collective property owner efforts to improve the precinct as a whole, provides privately funded supplementary services including cleaning, maintenance, greening and security, implement a communication network and fault report / service request system, serve as a catalyst for social and environmental responsibility, and to ensure appropriate branding and marketing of the precinct.
The Ballito UIP does not include all of Ballito. It focuses on the commercial and tourism nodes including Ballito Business Park, Ballito Drive, Compensation Road and beachfront, Salmon Bay to Willard beach.
The residential properties within the UIP are limited to Compensation Road and will not be included in the official SRA / UIP establishment process. Instead residential body corporates are being approached to become voluntary members.
The UIP mechanism is based on the Municipal Property Rates Act of 2004, which makes provision for the establishment of what is technically termed a Special Rating Area (SRA). The SRA is a defined geographic area within which the majority of property owners agree to pay for certain services supplementary to those supplied by the municipality. The levy is collected from all property owners within the UIP by the municipality and paid over to a non-profit company.
So far 44% of the total value of commercial owners which represents 18% of property owners have committed their support. The initial thrust has been to secure the support of the larger property owners and thereafter to focus on the large number of sectional title units. The Steering Committee is confident the necessary support will be achieved given adequate time.
The annual budget for the UIP is approximately R6.5 million. A detailed feasibility study is available which includes the motivation and methodology for establishing the budget – for a copy mail clare@ilembechamber.co.za.  In a nutshell if a property value equates to 0.5% of the total value of all properties within the UIP, it will contribute 0.5% of the total budget.
Importantly property owners, particularly those within the proposed UIP boundary are encouraged to attend the regular UIP presentations at the Chamber offices, please email Clare Swithenbank-Bowman clare@ilembechamber.co.za to confirm attendance.
We would like to thank all the owners who have come on board so far and look forward to the continued support in making Ballito a better place for business, tourist and residential community.
Reply shortened – Ed.