Craigpark Residents Association
Chairperson’s Annual Report---2008/9
Introduction
Those of you who have visited our website would have noticed an extract from a speech made by a former CEO of the SA Local Government Association which reads, “Communities must take interest in their local affairs, because if they do not, they could end up being governed by people who have no interest in their welfare.” Fortunately our community and those communities bordering on our suburbs, recognised this potential danger many years ago and established a residents’ association, which although currently undermanned (I will talk more about this later) has developed an infrastructure that can identify problem areas, counter threats, monitor development, introduce safety and protection projects, assist residents and generally provide a voice in the face of a somewhat lethargic and sometimes non-responsive local government.
The motivation is simple - to provide a safe, secure and attractive environment for our families to reside in and to secure the considerable investment made in our properties.
Your Association has a number of portfolios each of which handle specific issues and I will deal with each individually.
First and foremost- Security
Continued criminal activity during the past year being has meant that this portfolio has required a great deal of attention. At the time of our last AGM we had agreed to monitor the performance of ADT, who were providing extra patrol vehicles, as part of a Community Security Scheme initiated by the CRA to beef up security cover in public spaces. This scheme was being supported by approximately 300 residential units at a cost of R182 per month.
The PSS scheme with CSS Tactical
Looking ahead, however, the CRA began doing the groundwork for the potential establishment of a City Improvement District [CID]. Accordingly, the CRA committee arranged and attended formal presentations made by Core Tactical, CSS Tactical and ADT on how each company suggested we secure our public spaces. As a result thereof and after sifting through the various proposals it was decided to discontinue with the ADT service and to award protection of our public space to the company CSS Tactical. This appointment catered for the growing swell of support from our residents for a more proactive security scheme, such as those launched by other security companies in adjacent suburbs.
Phase one was to obtain support from 600 residential units at a cost of R385 per month, which would cater for four patrol vehicles, the optimum level deemed necessary by CSS Tactical to cover the territory. Phase two would be the introduction of surveillance cameras when the level of support reached 900.
The initial marketing thrust yielded support at approximately 450 units, at which point it was agreed with CSS Tactical to launch on 1st October 2008 with a partial service of three patrol vehicles, being confident that we could soon canvas the 150 unit balance required to complete phase one. Many volunteers have given time to drive this process and we thank every resident so involved. Special thanks are due to Simonne Mungle and Yvette Young – and even more thanks to Amy Allan and Richard King.
To date membership sits at 566 units and we urge everyone here tonight to assist in signing up if you have not already done so and plead with your neighbours and contacts to support the scheme. Only another 34 members would mean an extra patrol vehicle with an additional two sets of eyes on board.
An obvious question is “has crime been curtailed as a result of the PSS scheme”? The answer is not simple. Crime incidents still occur but there has been a significant decrease since the start of the PSS scheme with CSS Tactical. It should be mentioned that ADT predictably were not exactly happy with the CRA’s decision to curtail their contract for securing our public space, but responded positively by deploying an additional security vehicle, which given their extensive number of clients in the community for individual armed response cover, we believe we were probably entitled to anyway.
Shopping Centre Forum
Another initiative founded by the CRA this year as a result of an increase in “follow home crimes” has been the creation of a joint Shopping Centre Forum whereby management from the main centres in our area, representatives from the CRA and other residents’ associations, plus security companies and SAPS Parkview and Bramley, have got together and shared information to enable stepped-up and more focused security. We understand this interaction has resulted in arrests being made. Our thanks to CRA resident Adam Bunkell for co-ordinating this.
Domestic Watch
The Domestic Watch education program was successfully re-launched at the beginning of last year and proved very successful. This year’s support seems to have declined and we would urge residents to send their employees to the course which we consider a vital link in the security armour of our suburbs. Sue Harris is the current convener and I am sure after the meeting, she would gladly answer any questions regarding this program that you may have.
To Richard King who has headed up our security portfolio through some challenging times, we wish to record our deepest appreciation and thank him for his valuable input. Unfortunately, due to pressures of business, Richard will no longer be available to lead this team, but we are grateful that he has agreed to be involved in a supporting role.
Our thanks also to Eric Glover who is the CRA liaison person with the SAPS Parkview reservists; headed up by Insp Bradley Wilson, we are grateful for all they do to help reduce crime in our area and to this end, the CRA has provided the team with practical assistance.
Town Planning
The face of our suburbs never ceases to change with piles of sand, bricks and other building material constantly in evidence, with many millions of rand being spent on renovations each year. Also of note, is a sharp increase in the number of properties being sub-divided, together with the building of new homes. At one stage in the year we had as many as 65 different construction sites in progress. This densification is closely monitored by our town planning team to ensure strict adherence to our Regional Spatial Development Framework (RSDF) Plan, which your Association compiled with the assistance of town planners and which was approved by Council in 2007. It’s important to note that the CRA has the right to apply for amendments to the Plan and if any residents have any recommendations, please contact the CRA.
A watchful eye is also maintained over applications for rezoning of property rights, where we have needed to be alert for any property developers with a leaning to “bending the rules”. There has been an outbreak of applications for the establishment of B & B’s in our area, obviously in anticipation of the influx of 2010 soccer supporters. Applications for other forms of business rights have also received our close attention to ensure compliance with property rights.
Vacant and unfinished building sites are a constant source of complaints from residents with squatters, criminals and rats infestations reported, in addition to neglected pavements which degrade the area. Where possible, direct contact with the property owner to encourage rectification is attempted.
Committee members attended a Council planning open day to learn of any plans that may have impact on our area. Of comfort was the stated adherence to our RSDF, but of concern was the possible impact of the proposed Bus Rapid Transport system, which I will refer to in more detail under Traffic. Also of concern was the general lack of provision in the Council’s plan for maintenance of existing infrastructure, about which we have submitted a written objection directly to the City’s Urban Management Department.
The above mentioned activities have all been directed to ensure that our suburbs remain a highly desirable residential area! Many thanks to Roly Meyer and Bianca de Roland Phillips for their sterling work, in ensuring the smooth functioning of this portfolio.
Environment
We are indeed fortunate to have the Delta Park, the City’s biggest park, on our doorstep, a facility used by many of our residents for recreational purposes. Open areas such as this unfortunately attract illegal dumping, vagrants and squatters, who create litter and pose health risks. We have evidence also of criminal activity in this unprotected area, including drug dealing. Contact is maintained with City Parks and the SAPS/SAPS Reservists to arrange periodic raids to clear the area, but more need to be conducted on a more regular basis. The Braamfontein Spruit is also a catchment area for much of our storm water, and this regrettably is generally accompanied by a huge amount of litter. A couple of “river clean-up days were organised by our environmental team, where together with a number of residents volunteers, a large amount of litter was collected and bagged for removal by the Council’s Pik-it-up. We would like to record our thanks to those volunteers, and also Pick & Pay, Arnold Chatz Motors and estate agents Firzt, Lew Geffen and Seef who sponsored breakfast and refreshments on the days. Regular contact is maintained with both City Parks and City Power to remind them of their duty to keep the grass cut down to a level that reduces possibility of concealment of illegal activity.
In the suburbs the CRA has also embarked on a program to request residents to clean-up scruffy pavement areas, where this is applicable, as this does reflect on the overall appearance of our environment. This has met with a mixed response but I am sure many residents will agree that we should continue with these little reminders. Chris Taylor and Karen Hoffa are to be commended and receive our thanks on their efforts.
Membership
Our annual subscription fee has remained unchanged for a period of three years and we would like to thank all those residents who have paid their 2009 fees and for their continued support of the CRA. Membership numbers have dropped from 326 (2007) to 298 (2008) which is of concern, especially when one considers that this only represents approximately 20% of the property owners in our suburbs. Reverting to hand delivering of statements to all households this year has resulted in a slight improvement in revenue collection, but this is still way below what the Association expects and needs, given that the endeavours of the Association are all directed at improving surroundings, protecting our families and property investments. We are grateful that Sheay Harvey put her hand up during the year and thank her for her valuable assistance.
Community Affairs
Changes in the manning of this portfolio over the year has meant that a few good intentions have not quite reached fruition. A centrally located notice board (or two) is considered of prime importance and this issue is expected to be finalised soon. They could be used in addition to the monthly electronic CRA newsletter and the periodic Crier, to advise of forthcoming activities/events, security updates/awareness, special achievements, etc. all to foster better community involvement. Other ideas are in the pipeline! The Domestic Watch program could equally fall into this portfolio and I use this opportunity to once again to please encourage your domestics to attend. Thank you to Kirsty Falkenberg for her first steps in revitalising this portfolio and to Sue Harris for providing continuity.
Communications
Communication is the hub of all our activities and as could be expected is an extremely busy portfolio. Wendy McAllister generally pushes the boundaries at all times for the CRA and is greatly thanked for her considerable effort and invasion on her free time.
With the underlying premise that knowledge is power, in that if every resident is more aware of trends, threats and has a general knowledge of what is happening in our area, together we are able to deal more effectively with issues.
As a consequence, a major project has been the move to using CRM software. Whilst there is more to be done, what has been accomplished to date is a revamped website and a new look regular monthly newsletter.
Linked to this is the updating of contact and information details for residents, with the ultimate aim of having web-based data that is accessible to the executive and which has the objective of having a system in place to effectively keep people informed. The benefits are numerous, ranging from helping residents with billing problems and ensuring that emergency services (which use unreliable Council records) are sent to the correct address, to SMA alerts and being able to contact absent property owners, should problems arise.
The challenge, apart from undertaking projects which are time-consuming for a volunteer, is to obtain an e-mail address/ cell phone number for as many residents as possible. While the CRA will continue with several hard copy newsletters in the form of the Crier (produced for over 30 years now), swift and effective communication is becoming more dependant on electronic means.
This portfolio urgently needs assistance and we hope that a resident will come forward at tonight’s meeting to offer Wendy some help.
Finance
Our financial affairs have been more than ably administered by Kendall Rattey. Save to say that our accounts appear in good shape, I will leave comment to Kendall who will be presenting our financial statements in item 6 on the agenda of this AGM. Much appreciation is extended to Kendall for her close attention to our financial matters as also to Dick Harris of Harris, Dowden Fonteine for once again auditing the accounts.
Traffic
Dealing with local government continues to be generally frustrating and on reflection we can record a year of mixed results. Much time has been spent cultivating contacts (who frequently change) within the Council, the Johannesburg Roads Agency and the JMPD to ensure direct contact to the correct people when problems arise.
A major success after what seems to be years of badgering, was the installation of speed humps in Alexandria Avenue, where speeding and rat-running by mostly taxis had created an extremely dangerous traffic zone. Periodic requests for speed trapping and other law enforcement was conducted in various areas by the JMPD, but this intervention has been too infrequent for sustained effectiveness.
At the time of writing this report, major concern is recorded at the deplorable condition of many of our roads. Whilst we acknowledge that upgrading of water pipes or electrical wiring is necessary from time to time, the follow up maintenance to roads and pavements that have been excavated is lacking. These repairs to potholes and trenches have been largely ignored by the JRA, in spite of obtaining reference numbers and following up on a regular basis. This matter has for the first time been acknowledged in writing by the current MMC for Transportation, following on which we have received a delegation from the JRA to view the position first hand and who have promised a three-day rectification program. It has been confirmed that maintenance will only be done where problems are recorded by the residents using the Call Centre or preferably the pothole hotline e-mail.
Reference was made earlier in my report on the proposed new “Rea Vaya” Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Whilst it would appear that we are not in the direct line of the proposed route, we are concerned about the knock-on effect that its introduction will have on our suburbs. We fear that additional traffic will be diverted in our direction, where we already have intersections that can scarcely handle the current load. I refer of course to the Hyde Park section of Jan Smuts, Bompas/Jan Smuts and the Conrad Drive bridge/Jan Smuts intersections where engineering upgrades are desperately needed. We also fear an increase in taxi activity taking short cuts through our suburbs. Our concerns and objections have been tabled at the company conducting the environmental impact assessment and we will be closely following further development of the City’s plans.
CID/Civic Affairs
Our community was briefed last year regarding the benefits of forming a City Improvement District (CID), this being in broad terms “a partnership between the City and the private sector to improve the management of an urban environment, with focus and attention to detail not possible by local government.” Having received sufficient initial approval by the residents, the CID steering committee appointed Kagiso Urban Management to assist us through the process. This has generally been centred on the building of an effective data base to facilitate direct communication with all our property owners, a process which is ongoing and a bit of a nightmare given the City’s appalling billing record accuracy. Midway last year the City imposed a moratorium on the establishment of any new residential CID’s, while they re-evaluated their position on RCID’s. In March we were informed that recommendations included shifting the required acceptance level from 51% to 75%. Objections to this and constructive suggestions have been submitted by the CRA on your behalf to the Executive Director, Town Planning and Urban Management. We understand that Council expects to finalise procedures in June this year. Our thanks go to Paulette Malcolm for keeping us abreast of council issues and for heading up the CID steering committee.
On civic matters you will have noticed from press releases that our Councillor, Ian Ollis, has vacated his post as he is now a DA Member of Parliament. We have had a close working relationship with Ian during his tenure as our Ward Councillor and we record our appreciation and thanks for his work in our Ward and support of our association. We all wish him well for the future.
Our very busy secretarial/coordinating function was more than ably handled by Sarah James for part of the year, after which Liz McConnell took over this responsibility. We thank both ladies for shoring up this important role.
Regrettably, the committee has received a resignation from Blyth Thompson, who for reasons that we understand has decided to stand down. It would be amiss of the CRA not record our gratitude to Blyth for his many years of involvement and contribution to the community.
Finally, the committee continues to function under not inconsiderable pressure and desperately requires some leadership and additional manpower and it is sincerely hoped that come item 7 on the agenda we will have some hands put up from volunteers who can become part of the CRA team and assist in the smooth running of our Association, to the benefit of all of us who live and work in the area.
Thank you.
Peter Heritage
Acting Chair
