Umtshezi Municipality’s council chamber was the meeting place or the monthly council meeting held on Wednesday.
Ward and PR councillors, municipal management and the public were part of the meeting.
After the notice of meeting, prayer and apologies were heard, Speaker Cesar Nunes informed councillors of the upcoming Cansa Relay for Life on September 6 and 7.
“We encourage management and staff to make up a team and take up this 24-hour challenge, which is a good cause,” he said.
Mr Nunes proposed that the municipality not only budget for an annual contribution to the Relay but also actively participate.
Another item on the agenda was the monthly review of the Turnaround Strategy.
Municipal Manager Nonhlanhla Njoko explained to councillors that the report now included an additional column titled ‘status’.
“Most of the projects have already begun and there is progress. Each month we will follow-up on the progress,” she explained. The agenda was exhausted within 45 minutes as councillors agreed to adopt the recommendations on most of the items.
Those that were deferred to the relevant committee included a change of working hours for municipality staff.
Ms Njoko proposed that staff start work 15 minutes early each day (7.15am) to compensate for an early closure on Fridays.
Councillors agreed that the Human Resources Forum and Labour Committee should debate this subject.
Councillors agreed to the purchase of vehicles for the Deputy Mayor and Speaker.
Ms Njoko said that an amount of R400 000 was budgeted for each vehicle.
Requests to use the halls for extra curricular activities like dancing and martial arts were also adopted with a recommendation that the organisation using the hall be liable for damages incurred during their time there.