Mayor tables city’s budget plans
Through the R52.3 billion budget, the city aims to implement the industrial strategy to reposition Durban as a competitive global port city.
MAYOR Mxolisi Kaunda has unveiled a 10-point plan to institutionalise the new normal occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and drive radical socio-economic transformation during the tabling of the city’s 2021/22 budget on Thursday, 27 May.
Through the R52.3 billion budget, the city aims to implement the industrial strategy to reposition Durban as a competitive global port city.
It will also drive the social procurement policy framework, which comprises the allocation of 30 per cent of the city’s procurement spend for the benefit of co-operatives and social enterprises.
The 2021 /22 budget comprises an operating budget of R47.0 billion and a capital budget of R5.3 billion. This budget is based on an improved collection rate by the city of 95 per cent.
Clean administration
Kaunda said that the current administration remains committed to clean and transparent governance and that service delivery is at the forefront of all activities.
“The recently released auditor general’s (AG) report shows that the city continues to perform positively financially, with an unqualified audit opinion and we have managed to significantly reduce irregular expenditure by over R1 billion. In addition, through the hugely successful, first-of-its-kind economic recovery plan, the city has been able to attract over R3.4 billion in foreign direct investment through catalytic projects.”
Public consultation
The municipality hosted budget hearings in six regions where various community structures fully engaged with the council and provided input on the 2021/ 22 budget.
The regional hearings ensured there was maximum reach to communities as the city also partnered with both mainstream and community media.
Kaunda said, “As a responsive government, we have increased the zonal block sum of R330m to R990m. This provision will be utilised to address concerns relating to pedestrian bridges, traffic calming measures, health hazards, sidewalks, passages, and other critical issues, more especially in the underdeveloped areas.”
Tariff increases
Tariff increases for the 2021/22 financial year have been set at the lowest percentages ever seen in the last five years. In his address, the mayor explained that the Eskom bulk electricity increase and the Umgeni Water Board bulk water increase are out of the city’s control, but the plight of residents has been taken into consideration. Property rates 4.9 per cent, refuse 4.9 per cent, water 8.5 per cent, sanitation 8.5 per cent and electricity 14.59 per cent.
Service delivery targets
The municipality has prioritised various service delivery targets in the 2021/ 22 budget. Build 5064 houses, facilitate 2500 water connections and 8000 electricity connections, 2500 sewer connections and lay 37 km of gravel to black-top roads.
Recently, the Community Safety Forum and Local Drug Action Committee was launched. Street lighting will be improved, while an amount of R69m has been allocated towards strengthening smart policing technology.
The mayor thanked all residents and stakeholders for participating in the budget process and bade a fond farewell to the city’s outgoing Chief Financial Officer, Dr Krish Kumar, who will be retiring next month after a service period spanning decades.
