The Overstrand Budget, the blueprint for taking the municipality forward for the next five years, was unanimously approved by the council. Even the opposition hailed it as “aimed at redressing the imbalances of the past”.
The speech of the Executive Mayor Rudolph Smith, below, included many of the highlights of the budget.
Good morning
Today / I have the privilege of concluding months of hard work / with the tabling of our official / 5 year Integrated Development Plan / and the accompanying 2017/2018 Municipal Budget Report.
The draft form of these documents were worked through and discussed with the public in various ward meetings as well as in the IDP/Budget road shows.
In addition, today will be the fourth opportunity councillors have to view the complete documents. The first opportunity councillors had to scrutinise these documents were in our OMAF meeting, then the respective Road shows, and lastly a dedicated Budget Workshop which gave councillors the opportunity to relay any input or changes.
As the municipality we will use these documents to act as a roadmap / to navigate our infrastructure development services according to the priorities identified through the process of public participation.
I am proud to report / that our municipality will continue / as a strong community focused / and Service Delivery orientated / organisation.
In light here of, 50% of our Revenue budget has been allocated towards Basic Services.
19% has been allocated to Economic Development and Social upliftment.
10% towards the maintenance of a safe and healthy environment
And 21% will be spent on the promotion of good, clean and transparent Governance.
In addition to the above Operational Expenditure, 65% of our Capital Budget has been allocated to Indigent grants.
This is a clear indication of the value we place in the people we serve, and who make up our communities.
We want the Overstrand to continue to be a sought after place for people to live and work, and we want to guarantee all who live here a good standard of living.
We will, however need the communities continued support and interaction to ensure that the goals stated in these documents, move us forward.
This is therefore not a static document with steadfast goals but rather a living document that upholds the collective values and principals our municipality has adopted.
Through these documents we aim to show that we care, we serve and we belong and we encourage our community at large, to keep us to these values, but also help us give life to our vision.
The Final IDP and Budget documents will now be made available at all local public libraries as well as, on our Overstrand website – www.overstrand.gov.za under strategic documents
I want to close by thanking the public for their participation in the process and guaranteeing that our strategic goals help improve our communities where it is most required.
I would also like to extend a word of gratitude to the Overstrand Administration / for compiling these comprehensive documents / and seeing that it is implemented in a cost effective manner, / with the necessary attention and commitment.
Lastly, / I want to thank my fellow councillors / for the unity displayed through this process / and ensuring that this document aligns with the needs of all our communities.
I thank you.