Capetonians can comment Draft Budget and Five Year Plan

By Ilhaam Hoosain
05 April 2008

Now open for the public is the City of Cape Town’s draft budget of R19.8 billion for 2008/9 and its Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for the next five years.

The City Council has proposed from July 2008, tariff increases of 15% for electricity, 9,2% for water, 7,5% for solid waste, 7,3% for rates and 6% for sewerage.

Dr Martin van der Merwe, IDP director says that the budget is integrally linked to the municipality’s IDP which commits the City to meeting specific targets over the next five years.

He adds that the five year plan is for the entire Cape metropole and not just for specific suburbs. Thus a fine balance needs to be struck in allocating scarce resources for key focus areas

The City’s budget for the coming year includes a R15,8 billion operating budget and a R4 billion capital budget.

Major capital budget allocations include:
· over R1 billion for 2010 infrastructure
· R682 million for water and sanitation
· R581 million for electricity
· R460 million for roads and stormwater
· R250 million for solid waste
· R220 million for new settlements
· R157 million for transport
· R142 million for sport and recreation
· R108 million for information technology

"Public input is crucial for the finalisation of the Draft Budget and IDP. The City of Cape Town thus invites individuals and organisations to provide comments on both documents by 30 April 2008.

"This is an ideal opportunity for the general public to become involved in planning for Cape Town’s future and we welcome feedback on the IDP and budget," says Dr van der Merwe.

Written submissions can be posted to the City Manager at Private Bag X9181, Cape Town 8000 or by fax to (021) 400 1332.

Those wishing to make a verbal presentation may book a time slot at their local subcouncil office at least two days before the next subcouncil meeting.