Ratepayers Association wants to harness local expertise
The JBM-DRA had its first successful meeting on 23 September to address urgent service delivery matters in Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp.
“The association does not intend to take over service delivery in the J.B. Marks municipality; this would mean a duplication of rates and taxes and services provision. In smaller municipalities, this might be an option, but in J.B. Marks, it is not considered viable at this stage,” says Adélle Jerling, the re-elected chairperson of the J.B. Marks Consumer and Ratepayers Association (JBM-DRA).
The JBM-CRA was formed in June 2020 during the lockdown to address different service delivery and other matters plaguing the residents in the municipality. The association is a non-racial, apolitical organisation that wants to protect and advance the interests of all the ratepayers, residents, and consumers of municipal services as defined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
It aims to act as a mouthpiece for members’ views to all relevant authorities and identify problem areas and focal points. It interacts with the local municipality and other local authorities to share information. Jerling says the JBM-DRA wants to work together with local stakeholders and businesses, harnessing the expertise and experience of the residents within the greater municipal area to assist the municipality in rebuilding their failing service delivery.
The JBM-DRA had its first successful meeting on 23 September to address urgent service delivery matters in Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp. Stakeholders and interested parties were invited to the meeting, which was also shared via a virtual platform. During the session, valuable input was gained from stakeholders like the CID. An executive committee of seven members was elected at the first meeting to address urgent service delivery matters in the two towns. A representative sub-committee was also formed for the different areas in the greater J.B. Marks municipal area.
The association aims to address representations about the basis, range, and justification of tariffs of property taxation, service fees, water, electricity, and other municipal services. It also wishes to communicate and coordinate with local stakeholders and organisations to promote better service delivery.
JBM-DRA seeks to be a mouthpiece for its members and their interests in any process where residents are consulted as interested and affected parties. Since the formation of the association in June, several matters have been identified that need urgent attention. Among them are sewage spills, water leaks, road conditions, street lights, rates and taxes.
The association will shortly be conducting a survey to identify and prioritise these complaints and matters that need sustainable solutions. “For example, during the past month, residents and organisations have been working hard in a clean-up campaign. Unfortunately, this seems to be a losing battle as complaints have been posted on social media about waste being dumped in the same areas. These matters can be addressed by the different stakeholders working together in finding sustainable solutions,” says Adélle.
The association wishes to invite interested parties and stakeholders to contact the association and get involved in its actions. Members can contact the association via email at JBmarksresidents@gmail.com, by joining the J.B. Marks Consumer and Ratepayers Association Facebook page or sending a WhatsApp message to 072 920 0788.
