Feathers fly over adjustment budget

Messages stood at the core of Tuesday’s Executive Council (Exco) meeting.

The meeting opened normally enough, opening formalities leading into a review of the 2015/2016 adjustment capital and operational budgets.

However, councillors on all sides wanted some things said.

On one hand, Mayor, Afzul Rehman wanted a clear message sent to councillors, that missing important meetings was not acceptable.

This was aimed at IFP councillor, Reginald Ndima, who was absent again.

On the other hand, DA councillor, Bebsie Cronje sought answers as to why official budget documentation was only made available on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

She called this unfair, as the caucuses had no time to scan the figures.

“How can this item be approved, when it was received so late?”

Chief Financial Officer, Sisho Nkosi explained the budget workshopped with councillors, was originally set in an incorrect format.

However, he assured Exco the figures did correspond.

According to provided documents, the adjusted budget showed the Newcastle Municipality had a surplus of R21 199 and 86 cents.

This is effectively extra money left in the coffers to be spent.

IFP councillor, Dr Koos Vorster later explained a large percentage of money billed (approximately 82 per cent) was cash the municipality would receive.

In terms of expenditure, however, certain items were not cash items.

“On adjustment, items such as ‘transfers and grants’ and bulk purchases are removed, because no cash comes back from these.”

And while almost all councillors gave the thumbs-up to the adjustment budgets, Cllr Cronje demanded a dissenting vote be cast by the DA.

Her insistence was met with near outrage by Cllr Rehman.

“I represent the third top municipality in the province, and I missed the opening of Parliament to be at this meeting. Why then, must we delay this item so your junior councillors could attend the opening?”

The feathers flew, stirred up further by Portfolio Standing Committee Chairman for Development Planning and Human Settlements, Matthew Shunmugam stating councillors were messengers to their parties, and information should be filtering down.

When the dust settled, all but the DA approved the adjustment budget.

It remains to be seen what is to come, ahead of the 2016/2017 budgetary process and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) formulation next month.

The budget will be made public at the State of the Town address in a few weeks’ time.