1. WELCOME

John Turpin , chairman of the Association, welcomed the residents to the meeting. He also welcomed the speakers, Senior Superintendent Nanda Moodley of the Parkview Police Precinct, Councillor Judy Stockill, Ward 90 Region 3 and Craig Pretorius of Urban Terrain Town Planners.  

2. APOLOGIES

Apologies were noted.  

3. APPROVAL OF 2004 MINUTES

The minutes of the previous annual general meeting, held on 19 May 2004 were approved and seconded.  

4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

John Turpin presented his report to the meeting.  

He began by stating that he had exceeded his term as chairman by a year in terms of the constitution and appealed to the residents to aid in finding a suitable replacement. He indicated his willingness to assist with the “handing over of the reigns” and to continue as chairman until the end of the calendar year.  

John once again pointed out that the Committee represents about ten thousand residents and re-iterated his efforts to get the mayor to realize the importance of ratepayers associations and the vast benefits to be had by all in the recognition by the City of the importance of the local committees. Fo the full report, click here.  

Security

The vehicle purchased by the residents in the previous financial year and donated to the Parkview Police Station has been operating effectively in the 2 suburbs. When not in use, it has been replaced by another vehicle.

We have two sector operators (Constable Silence and Constable Lloyd), whose numbers have been published in the Crier.

There have been changes at the Parkview Station and Superintendent Moodley has been appointed. He has committed to being open and approachable.

Residents were asked to be alert as to which street lights are not working and to report these to street representatives.

Driveways appear to be where most crimes take place and an appeal was made to residents to be more vigilant.

The Domestic Watch situation needs to be re-ignited and has suffered some administrative problems during the previous year.  

A presentation was made to Superintendent Loubscher, the outgoing superintendent of the Parkview Police Station, on behalf of the residents of the 2 suburbs.

Superintendent Loubscher thanked the residents.  

Town Planning and Development

John remarked on the questionnaire sent to residents regarding property density and sub-division requirements and commented on the work done by the committee in aiding residents to understand the politics and goings on in the planning industry.

The koppie debacle continues with the committee continuing to fight commercial development of this property.  

Environment

John explained the idea of adopting the islands at the intersection of Jan Smuts and William Nicol. This is the entrance to the 2 suburbs and a project has been undertaken to beautify this area at a cost of R200,000 of which the CRA would be willing to contribute R15,000.

Due to inadequate grass-cutting and general grime and dirt in the suburbs, there is a slight rat problem. This is being dealt with by the committee and relevant municipal departments.

An appeal was made to residents to assist in the area of environmental problems.

It was noted the containment of problems in the Spruit continues to be a major priority.  

Membership

Membership is strong but could be better. It is felt that the value obtained by the members far outweighs the nominal contribution which needs to be made.  

Communications

John felt that this was best substantiated by the assistance obtained from Caxton, our website, the Crier and monthly electronic newsletters.  

Community Affairs

There are 45 additional voluntary workers in the form of the street representatives in the two suburbs.  

Finance

It was noted that the association is in a healthy financial position.  

Before closing off, John thanked people who contributed to the association during the year but for personal reasons had to leave. These included Janet Ward, Kevin Shenton, Caroline Fouche, Carol Kullman and Sue Beard.

He also thanked those who assist outside of the executive such as Michael Delahunt , the auditor and Dick Welch who does our printing. He also thanked the executive and the members.  

An appeal was made for residents to assist in the portfolios of town planning, environment, traffic and secretarial.  

5. TREASURY

The treasurer reported on the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2004 . It was noted that the association is in a good financial position and that the financial statements had been signed by the auditor, Michael Delahunt CA(SA).

It was also noted that the substantial cash balances had been built up in order to deal with commitments such as those to be taken up with the town planning project currently being undertaken.  

6. SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT NANDA MOODLEY

The chairman introduced Senior Superintendent Moodley of the Parkview Police Station, who presented his report.  

Superintendent Moodley gave a brief background of his life and his career up until his appointment as superintendent of the Parkview Police Station. He paid tribute to his predecessor, Superintendent Loubscher, and said that he had big shoes to fill. He then outlined his plans for his precinct.  

He pointed out that all four of his commanders are female. His aim is to manage by objectives and has instituted a performance register which is monitored by himself on a daily basis. He gave the crime statistics for the 2 suburbs and said that his aim is to decrease crime by 23%, motor vehicle theft by 10% and increase arrests and dockets going to court by 10%. He is working on areas of concern and intensifying police visibility in the precinct. He is aiming to promote good police culture and to marginalize the few corrupt and uninterested police officers.

Each sector within the precinct has been allocated a vehicle and a community patrol program is in the pipeline.

He stated that his office is open to transparency and the public are invited to check the crime statistics, to approach Superintendent Moodley and to lodge any complaints (and compliments) at the call centre. He has undertaken to review the complaints register at the call centre on a daily basis.

He welcomed a joint partnership with and the support of the community.  

7. COUNCILLOR JUDY STOCKILL

The chairman introduced Councillor Judy Stockill, Ward 90, Region 3, who presented her report.  

Councillor Stockill gave a brief overview of council events. She invited residents to attend the mayoral budget speech. She pointed out that the City/government and the provincial MEC are not in tune with services requirements. According to a residents’ survey, the major challenges being faced by City are:

• Lack of employment
• Healthcare
• HIV/Aids
• Crime
• Revenue/billing
• Services to outlying areas
• Taxi’s  

As ward councillor, her challenges continue to be those relating to roads/traffic, lack of services such as electricity. She noted that the City is in the process of implementing an additional water line. She encouraged do-it-yourself local government, for example, residents reporting malfunctioning street lights.

She noted that services for domestics were particularly bad with no hospitals, taxi ranks and so on.

She reminded residents of local elections to be held on 7 December and encouraged residents to register for these.  

8. CRAIG PRETORIUS URBAN TERRAIN TOWN PLANNERS

Craig Pretorius opened by stated that he was aware of concerns of residents and stated what the purpose of his appointment is ie. To do a submission of the town-planning to the town council on behalf of residents. He stated that his concerns about his town-planning exercise and stated that while he will be acting in the best interests of the community, he still has to do the proposal in terms of the Johannesburg council ideas and strategic initiatives.

He explained the process to be undertaken:

1.Residents’ input is important as it will be documented in the submission

2.The plan includes zoning surveys; illegal uses and services etc.

3.The plan will be submitted to various departments within the council

4.The plan will address development and community issues.

5.Once the plan is approved, it will hopefully be accepted by council as policy of the Craigpark residents.

9. ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The gathered forum proposed and seconded the “en masse” re-election of committee members available for re-election. 

10. QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION

Various questions were raised on the town-planning and a distinction was made between sub-dividing and rezoning. It was reiterated that the submission needs to be made policy. There was concern that the previous LDO was 1,000m2 and the ability to enforce the new proposal was questioned.

Various questions regarding crime were put to Superintendent Moodley who concurred that no serious arrests had yet been made since his appointment. He re-emphasised his ideas and proposed initiatives for the precinct including implementing vehicle check points in terms of the Criminal Procedures Act.  

The annual general meeting was then adjourned.