•  ADDRESS BY:  DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE MP SHEILA CAMERER
•  ADDRESS BY:  SUPERINTENDENT LOUBSER - PARKVIEW POLICE PRECINCT
  

1. WELCOME

John Turpin Chairperson of the Association welcomed the residents to the meeting. He also welcomed the speakers, Member of Parliament Sheila Camera, Superintendent Loubser of Parkview Police Station. He also thanked our city Councillor, Judy Stockill and Fran Haslam, the Chairlady of the Parkview Police Forum for her contribution in keeping us up-to-date with the crime situation and for the advice she gives us as to how we can assist the police. Thanks also to Kevin Shenton who provides us with the layout for the Crier, in addition Dick Welch who gives us the printing for various activities at a nominal fee. He also thanked the editor of the Gazette Kenny Mudzuli for attending.

2. APOLOGIES

Apologies were noted

3. APPROVAL OF 2002 MINUTES

The Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting were approved by Mike Prior and seconded.

4. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

John Turpin presented his report to the meeting.
It was noted that Judy Harding (membership portfolio) and Mike Prior (Security) had stepped down from the Committee, Judy who has decided to go into semi-retirement and Mike, who has moved to Bryanston and has been "snapped up" by their residents association. He thanked them both for their outstanding contribution to the Association.

He introduced the committee members to the meeting and outlined the portfolios that had been created within the Association and those committee members responsible for each. He said that the question of safe guarding our communities and subsequently everyone's properties and homes is encompassed in subjects such as security and the appearance of our suburbs together with general efficiency of the various services, such as street lights, that you, as a taxpayer would expect. He thanked the committee members, area organisers and street representatives for their voluntary efforts over the past year. He welcomed people from the community who are prepared to help, most particularly in the areas of treasury, security and environment to contact him. He said that now that we have a structure and system in place it is now up to the residents to use it.

He stated that as an association, we have some status in being able to reach the authorities with problems we are encountering in our community from day-to-day. However, we are confronted with an enormous quagmire of administrative ineptness which is affecting our residents and taxpayers. For instance, errors in electricity and water accounts, write-offs of billions of Rands by the municipality, increases in rates and taxes by ± 13%. The ammunition that we have to overcome these problems is, in some ways, limited to nagging away at the appropriate authorities and even embarrassing them in the press. However, there are people on our side (such as our councillor's office) where improvements have been made such as the facility in Sandton "the People's Centre" and a new metre reading company, which seems to offer some assurances.

ISSUES

(a) Security

The crime situation in our suburbs, although less than others surrounding us is still a major negative factor which we need to continue to address. The CRA have continued to support the Parkview police and are fortunate to have such an efficient and dedicated force looking after us. The CRA have financially contributed to 2 undercover projects which provided our suburbs with more police presence and very positive results.

We continue to lobby the Municipality regarding the possible lighting up of the spruit which continues to cause problems for the police in terms of adequate patrolling and will report back our findings.

We have been in discussions with Business against Crime regarding a possible surveillance project together with the Hyde Park and Parkmore Resident Associations, in addition we are consulting with the police, security companies and the EWCR to formulate this project. Our findings so far are proving costly but feasible. We will keep you advised as to the outcome of this possible initiative.

Domestic Watch
We continue to support the domestic watch project in conjunction with the CPF and will continue to do so this year. It is vital that we receive the co-operation of the householders in allowing our domestics to attend these meetings as it benefits the whole community and the police in crime reduction. At this moment, we need a co-ordinator for these monthly meetings in Craighall and would appreciate it if someone would come forward on this subject.

Road Closures
We are now in a position to determine which way we are allowed to proceed in terms of development of road closures in the future.

The Chairman thanked Mike Prior, who has handled the security portfolio during the past year. Margaret Stewart, Jenny Howarth and he will be handling this portfolio for the time being as this will continue to be a priority issue for the foreseeable future.

(b) Finance

The Treasurer reported the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2002. Subscriptions had improved for the year. Expenses included :

• Contributions to Parkview Police
• Domestic Watch activities
• Modest gifts to retiring committee member and guest speakers
• Prizes and awards to residents & community activity
• Subscription to the Government Gazette
• Room hire and AGM expenditure
• Admin expenses

Should any members require the Financial Statement for the year ended 2002, please do not hesitate to contact the Treasurer" - Ms Lee Whitfield.
Association funds currently amounted to R112 000,00. A question from the floor wanted to know if perhaps we were building up too much of a financial base. The chairman replied that on the contrary we were faced with complicated problems this year where financial support would be required by the association. He indicated that in his letter in the new Crier that he had set out the position for all residents.
Approval of the Financial statements was proposed by Bruce Bowden and seconded.

(c) Environment

This portfolio has to do with keeping the image of Craighall and Craighall Park in pristine condition. This includes everything from parks and verges to drinking water and sewerage, storm water to signage (graffiti), rubble and noise.

(d) Community Affairs

This portfolio now includes 3 active people who are involved in developing functions for residents, promotions and meetings and other responsibilities are the coordination of the regional and street reps. The Chairman thanked Judy Harding for her hard work which is vital in terms of communication between the association and its members.

(e) Town Planning & Development

This portfolio ensures that various applications for property development etc confirms with our LDO. In the past year the CRA have received many requests from developers and residents who are interested in cluster development, rezoning etc and these individual applications have to be monitored. The CRA are also involved with abandoned properties, most of which have been resolved during the year. Issues such as the Planet Fitness development on Jan Smuts, the ex REEA property on Marlborough. These on-going issues are helping to preserve the value of our individual properties.

(f) PR and Communications

A new portfolio developed during the year. Apart from the development and production the Crier, now issues a monthly electronic letter to members outlining the latest activities and problems which would be of interest to the residents.
A CRA website is in the process of development which aims to complement other forms of communication.

(g) Membership

This is the life blood of the association. Jill Weldon has collected a significant number of e-mail addresses developing and maintaining a database that will serve the association well in the future. E-mail addresses will, of course be kept confidential to the activities of the association and will be only used when necessary.

(h) Traffic

This portfolio has a significant effect on all of us. We are confronted with problems such as taxis taking unauthorised routes, speeding in our suburbs. The association deals with the Johannesburg Road Agency which so far has under-performed in pursuing various problems. We continue to persevere with this.

(i) Other

The proposed new Property Rates Bill may be revised after input from public hearings. Feedback will be given as information comes to hand.

Some residents have expressed interest in moving to the pre-pad system for electricity. An enquiry to Eskom reveals that electricity remains the same price per unit, but a new metre has to be installed and purchased at a cost of R1 000 or considerably more if you have 3-phase. Residents were advised to contact City Power to check out all the details.

The restrictive by-laws in respect of City Parks have fallen away. Anything 'within reason' is permitted unless specifically prohibited.

5. SHEILA CAMERER

DA Member of Parliament, addressed the AGM, attached to the Minutes

6. SUPERINTENDENT LOUBSER

Parkview Precinct, presented his report, attached to the Minutes.

7. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The re-election of the Chairperson and the existing Committee was unanimously accepted.

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no further business

Refreshments were served at the close of the meeting.