Good day Ratepayers and Residents of Betty’s Bay
Thank you to all who have joined the BBRA and to those who are considering joining our growing association, you are all most welcome. We look forward to your participation and support.
The BBRA TEAM have a WhatsApp group for communication. If BBRA members have a particular concern regarding a situation in Betty’s Bay, we will put you in contact with the relevant portfolio principal on the BBRA TEAM for direct dialogue. Please use our email address, which appears at the bottom of my note, or contact me directly.
At the beginning of our tenure this year, we decided to have alternate monthly BBRA TEAM meetings that are open to the public. At this stage not many residents have used this opportunity and so we have decided to revert back to having normal TEAM meetings every month, but with a twist. Any member of the public may attend our meetings. We will create a time slot for you to talk to us. Your input will be minuted and treated with the same importance as a submission by any TEAM member. Once you have given your input, we request that residents then leave the TEAM to carry on with the meeting. Please observe the necessary COVID protocols and sign the register specifically for members of the public.
At this point I would like to thank Carol Clark for her help with proofreading our newsletter. This is something that she does over and above her portfolio commitments. There are many more TEAM members who wear more than one cap within the TEAM dynamic and I thank you all for your commitment and the unselfish sacrifices you make in serving this complex community.
Currently there are 21 portfolios, with some principals fully engaged. Others appear to be uncertain whether to commit themselves fully. This means that the number of portfolio principals may decrease or increase. It is important to note that portfolio principals received the opportunity for full participation as members of the TEAM.
There will be a public meeting with stakeholders about our section of provincial road (R44), the pipe replacement process, and roads in general, problems with plot-clearing contractors and the Baboon Liaison Group (BLG). The date of this OM meeting will be communicated once it has been confirmed.
A Ward 10 Ward Committee meeting was scheduled for 21 June 2022 and feedback will be published. On 24 June 2022 an investment conference is to be held in Kleinmond.
The BBNW and BBRA are to assist with investigating the placement of all fire hydrants and their valves in the village in order to confirm the correct positions with respect to the map of the fire hydrants
There has been a problem regarding the water meters not being read, which then resulted in residents’ later receiving a very high water bill. A new contractor was appointed but 240 meters were still not read. Reasons given by the meter readers were they could not find the meters and that there were bushes and snakes. All residents are requested to clear a pathway to their water meters and the area around them to facilitate reading of the meters. A possible suggestion is that residents call in the reading of their water meter and the contractor only performs a quarterly check for accuracy.
OM has introduced a new app to enable reporting of any matter, including meter readings and potholes. It is still in the test phase.
Cllr Els said at the BBRA meeting on 8 June 2022 that non-baboon-proof public bins are being removed and that for a short while there may be no bins at all but that baboon-proof bins are going to be installed in the very near future.
There is a delay with the installation of new water meters in Betty’s Bay owing to the rapid expansion in the area. The teams of plumbers are working overtime in an effort to catch up.
Much is happening on many fronts. It is worth taking the time to read the newsletter as it answers many of the ratepayers’ and residents’ questions. OM is answering the same questions repeatedly and we are working hard to inform everyone in Betty’s Bay of current developments, meetings and progress that is being made.
Please write to us at bettysbayratepayers@gmail.com so that we can establish a record of notifications and jobs done.
Thank you very much for being a participating community.
With warm regards
Wayne