Municipal merger threatens market
The construction of the new hall would cost about R50-million.
THE Democratic Alliance‘s motion to council to oppose the relocation of the Scottburgh Flea Market was well received by those who gathered at Scottburgh Town Hall last week to voice their concerns.
The market is currently in the firing line and could possibly – if council has its way – be closed down to make way for new offices as an extension to the Umdoni Municipal building.
The DA however, plan to stop this from happening and has said that it will fight the matter to the end.
The proposed construction of the offices comes as part of the amalgamation of the Vulamehlo and Umdoni Municipalities.
Also to be constructed – should council proceed – are brand new council chambers, which will cost well into the millions.
The DA, however, feels that this money should be put to better use.
“The MEC for Local Government has stated that the construction of the new offices is not to go ahead. We should be focusing on service delivery as a priority,” said DA caucus leader, Councillor Eddie Baptie.
The construction of the new hall would cost about R50-million, but Cllr Baptie expects the costs to be much higher.
The DA has stated that there is no reason why the project should go ahead.
The Scottburgh Town Hall itself was recently used as an alternative to seat a total of 37 councillors.
The DA has now proposed that other halls in the surrounding areas could also be utilised for council purposes.
The party added that the motion would be finalised on September 24 and presented to council on September 28.
It has also invited members of the public to attend the meeting at the Umdoni Municipal Council chambers on the day.
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