BBRA Newsletter - Newsletter/Nuusbrief May 2020
Newsletter/Nuusbrief May 2020
Dear member COVID 19, like the North West wind, is still creating havoc. Thankfully we can soon toast the advent of level 3 of Lockdown. Isn’t it strange that we are so thankful for small mercies while still being largely restricted?
En steeds woed COVID-19, soos die Noordwester, voort. Genadiglik is daar die vooruitsig van vlak 3 ingrendeling en kan ons ‘n glasie daarop klink. Vreemd dat ons dankbaar is om ingegrendel te wees.
Die oopmaak van die ekonomie word wyd verwelkom en beteken onder andere dat bouwerk aan verskeie halfgeboude wonings kan voortgaan en nuwe bouwerk kan begin.Die koop en verkoop van eiendomme sal voortaan met ‘n geopende aktekantoor kan voortgaan. Huishulpe en tuinwerkers kan weer hul daagliks brood verdien en die opgehoopte verwaarlosing wegwerk.
Ongelukkig word ons sosiale interaksie op sportvelde (met inbegrip van ons eie Parkrun), eet- en kuierplekke en sommer die vleisie by die bure braai asook kulturele aktiwiteite (uitgesonderd godsdiensbeoefening) steeds ingeperk. Dit wat ons steeds ontbeer, is immers waarom ons almal so graag in ons dorp wou bly.
Die Belastingbetalersvereniging kon weer eens nie vergader nie en gelukkig was daar ook nie soveel dringende sake nie. Daar is wel omvattend op die konsepbeleid oor geslote kringkameras kommentaar gelewer.
Zoom/Skype of ander virtuele metodes van vergadering hou, bly steeds ‘n moontlikheid sou die behoehte daaraan ontstaan. Daar is versoeke uit die gemeenskap oor spoed- en verkeerbeheer op Clarence rylaan ontvang en dit sal eersdaags verder ondersoek word.
Ons weldeurdagte vertoë (wat ook op ons webtuiste is) wat aan die Munisipaliteit gerig is om die konsep 2020/21 begroting omvattend te hersien ten einde tarief- en belastingverhogings te vermy, het skynbaar nie op dowe ore geval nie. Ofskoon daar steeds tariefverhogings is, is dit betekenisvol afgeskaal en ons het rede om te glo dat ons pleitstem wel ‘n rol gespeel het. So byvoorbeeld is die gemiddelde tariefverhoging nou 4,5% in plaas van die beoogde 5,9% en die eiendomsbelastingkoers vanaf 6,9% na 4,5%. Beide persentasies is nou onder die Reserwebank se geprojekteerde inflasiekoers van 4,7%.
Die afgelope maand het die Munisipaliteit al die noodsaaklike dienste op ‘n betroubare en hoë vlak gelewer. Die BBBV het groot waardering daarvoor.
Onthou om, nadat die vullis verwyder is, die afvalhouers (veral die deksels en handvatsels) te ontsmet en was jou hande deeglik nadat die houer hanteer is.
Ander, meer kantoorgebonde, munisipale dienste word ook gelewer en algehele dienslewering begin geleidelik na “normaal” terugkeer.
Ingevolge afgekondigde bepalings mag geen Buurtwag bedryf word nie, maar die sekerheidsfirmas het hul patrolliedienste en waaksaamheid verskerp. Gevolglik was misdaad, uitgesonderd die ewige stropery van ons kusbronne, op ‘n relatief lae vlak.
Lede mag onthou dat daar verskeie beroepe op die gemeenskap gedoen is om behoeftige inwoners van Bettysbaai wat vanweë die pandemie-ingrendeling sonder inkomste gelaat is en swaar kry, te ondersteun.
Daar was ‘n wonderlike reaksie van ons lede en ons is diep dankbaar teenoor almal wat bygedra het om die nood te verlig. Tot datum is reeds R63 750,00 geskenk!
COVID 19, like the North West wind, is still creating havoc. Thankfully we can soon toast the advent of level 3 of Lockdown. Isn’t it strange that we are so thankful for small mercies while still being largely restricted?
The opening up of the economy is widely welcomed especially as the half built houses can now be completed and the building of new houses can commence. The buying and selling of properties can proceed with an open Deeds Office. Domestic workers and gardeners can help reduce the accumulated backlog and start earning a living again.
Unfortunately our social interaction on sports fields (including our own Parkrun), restaurants and the neighbourly braai as well as cultural activities (excluding religious activities) are all still in lockdown. These are the very attractions that prompted us to settle in this very special village.
The BBRA committee could once again not meet but quite frankly there were no items of real importance or urgency that warranted a meeting.
We did however submit extensive comments on the draft security camera policy.
Should the need therefor arise, meetings via Zoom/Skype or other virtual meeting method could still be held. There were requests from community members regarding traffic calming measures and speed control on Clarence Drive and these will be considered in the near future.
Our well-motivated representations (available on our website) to the Municipality that the 2020/21 draft budget be comprehensively reviewed in order to prevent rates and tariff increases, apparently hit home. Although there are still tariff increases these have been adjusted downwards. For example the average tariff increase is now 4,5% instead of the proposed 5,9% and the property rate has been reduced from 6,9% to 4,5%. Both these percentages are now just below the Reserve Bank’s adjusted projected inflation rate of 4,7%.
During the past month the Municipality continued to provide services in a reliable and efficient manner. The BBRA greatly appreciates this.
Once your refuse has been collected remember that wheelie bins and cages, especially the lids and handles, should be properly disinfected, and hands thoroughly washed thereafter.
Other municipal services, many of which are office bound, are slowly returning to “normal”.
Due to current restrictions the Neighbourhood Watch may not operate but the security companies have improved their patrols and vigilance. As a result crime, except for the scourge of poaching, was at a low level.
Covid-19 Nutrition Assistance
Members will be aware that we sent out various communications advising of assistance to the needy of Bettys Bay who were in dire straits due to lack of income caused by the “lock down” imposed to combat this pandemic.
We wish to thank members who have contributed to this cause and as such have alleviated the hardship of those affected. To date you have contributed R63 750,00 in donations.