Municipal budgets presented at roadshows

BOTH Ugu and Hibiscus Coast municipalities took their proposed budgets for the next financial year to communities during the IDP and Budget Roadshows in the first two weeks of April.

Communities scrutinised both budgets, giving their input before the adoption by both councils at a later stage.

Discussions on the proposed rise of seven percent by HCM for rates and services as well as Ugu’s 5.7 percent for water and sanitation left a bitter taste for most residents.

Residents also took the opportunity to voice their complaints about services.

Potholes were the main concern, closely followed by water supply interruptions and the collection of refuse.

Hibiscus Coast mayor,  Cynthia Mqwebu, reassured residents that the budget represented the aspirations of people and stressed that their priority focus was on the improvement of infrastructure.

Hence a considerable proportion of the budget was dedicated to pothole repairs, roads and electricity upgrades.

Ugu District mayor,  Ntombifikile Gumede, said its budget was designed to deal with key municipal strategic focus areas, which included social, economic and the rehabilitation of municipal infrastructure.

The budget highlighted proposed tariff charge increases of 5.7 percent for water and sanitation. The mayor said: “This tariff increase across the board is a clear commitment from the municipality to ensure that all communities have access to these inherent human basic services.”

Both municipalities have said that, at the completion of the consultative process with communities, inputs will be considered and the final budget will be tailored according to the communities’ service delivery needs.

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