Can’t take public meetings seriously

Mr Marsh’s comments about being “disgusted that registered voters in Ward Six did not have the time and courtesy to show up at an important meeting” (Marsh strongly condemns ‘Ballito apathy’, Courier, April 10) cannot go unanswered.
Over the years residents of Ballito and Umhlali have attended lots of “important meetings” only to be rewarded by a continuing decline in basic services, with no end in sight. In fact many ratepayers believe it will only get worse. It is therefore to the credit of some caring individuals that instead of attending “important meetings” they have planned a self funding do-it-yourself Urban Improvement Project (UIP, Courier, April 10) where they will attend to service delivery that the municipality has consistently failed to provide.
The facts are we have a dysfunctional system where:
• The municipality is ineffective,
• Councillors are ineffective, and
• Our ratepayers association is ineffective.
Something is wrong and must be corrected.
Now, I say to Mr Marsh: You are a beneficiary and part of a system that is failing. Recognise this and have the courage to help change it. How? Introduce ward-based budgeting where overheads are allocated to ‘Head Office’ and the balance made available to each ward (by using an agreed formula).
That way all wards will have their own budget for which each councillor becomes accountable. Councillors can then build meaningful relationships with their constituents who they consult and jointly set priorities (ratepayers meetings). Then, and only then can you expect constituents to take you seriously and attend your meetings, which if conducted correctly, will become important and be well supported. Start with Ward Six.
More of the same is not going to work and will continue to frustrate and irritate us all.
MALCOLM KENSETT
Ballito