During the Special Council Meeting held on Thursday 29 May 2008, the Democratic Alliance Pretoria-Tshwane Caucus voted against the proposed budget.
According to the DA the budget priorities were left a lot to be desired and was not geared towards economic growth for teh city. The budget seems to become more of a social welfare budget in stead of one that provides opportunities and a hand up for communities living in our city.
The Tshwane Council cannot afford to become a welfare city and needs to put as much budget towards creating economic opportunities for communities as it does in providing grants in aid. If this is not done the city will never be able to develop its people to become more economically active and therefore less dependent on handouts.
The DA also rejectd the Property Rates Policy suggested by the Council. Although the DA is of the view that the policy is by and large fair, it is upset that the policy does not make provision for larger rebates for pensioners, invalids, the infirm and independent schools.
Taking into consideration by how much the budget will grow due to the new property rates levels, there was more than enough room to allow for these concessions which were including in the draft policy. Why the ANC changed the policy is beyond comprehension.
Lastly, the DA was also very dissatisfied with the IDP and the lack of proper community consultation that took place when compiling the integrated development plan. The residents and communities within the city are being marginalised increasingly and their voice silenced. Their needs seem to be secondary to those who are influential in stead of counting the same weight.
The administrative bungling that goes hand in hand with so called public participation in the city excludes too mane residents from having their voices heard.
The DA is also concerned that the IDP has no real influence and plays no real role in addressing the needs of the community. The IDP has become a wish list which is generally ignored by the Council when they have to make decisions about planning and development.
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