CANNON ROCKS RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HELD AT THE COMMUNITY HALL
ON 20 December 2011 @ 10H00
WELCOME
1. The chairman welcomed everybody present. A special welcome was extended to Mr. Howard Dredge the Municipal Finance Manager who represented the Municipal Manager. An additional welcome was extended to Captain Van Aardt and Warrant Officer Neethling, of the South African Police Service.
2. The Chairman expressed a sincere thanks to Mr. John Gooch, for donating two Bicycles for the “Bobby-on-a-Beat” initiative.
3. A special word of thanks was passed to André Esterhuizen for the use of the PA system as well as to the ladies who arranged for the social at the end of the meeting.
ATTENDANCE AND APOLOGIES
4. Twenty nine members attended the Annual General meeting.
5. Apologies was received from;
Patricia Grieg.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
6. None
COMMITTEE TABLE
7. The Chairman reported on the Ndlambe/Tourism Heritage project. The project is planned to take place in three phases. It is currently at the second phase. The Cannon Rocks residents will be consulted prior to the implementation of the third phase.
8. Communication. The Chairman informed the meeting that Minutes and Reports of the Association were made available on the website.
9. Integrated Development Plan. Ndlambe Municipality embarked on a new process for the development of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The new process was briefly explained to the meeting. The Chairman informed the members that the Association had submitted a number of requests for inclusion in the IDP. These were increased water capacity, upgrade of the community hall, upgrade of Potgieter Street, erection of public ablution block, an additional water reservoir and the erection of a bus shelter for workers in the community.
PORTFOLIO: INFRASTRUCTURE
10. Maintenance: The meeting was informed that a good relationship had been established with the local Ndlambe municipal representative. Special thanks were extended for the prompt response received for most of the problems, which arose.
11. Focus Area: Sustainable Water. Water supply still remains a problem during the holiday season. It was again stressed that water usage should be a matter of concern. Members were urged to use water sparingly. The proposed Amatola Water Project that proposed to elevate the water supply in the Ndlambe municipal areas was explained to the meeting.
12. Ablution Blocks. In light of the fact that no ablution block exists at the swimming beach, the meeting, requested Mr Dredge for assistance in obtaining a temporary solution. Mr. Dredge undertook to investigate a possible solution.
PORTFOLIO: FIRE PRECAUTION/FIGHTING AND EVIRONMENT
13. Training: Mr Fourie explained the processes that have been implemented for intermediate reaction, to fire incidents. Households were encouraged to have a fire extinguisher available.
13. Nature Trail: SAN Parks have cleared the trail in the Addo Elephant Park next to Cannon Rocks. People using this trail are advised to take water with. It was reported that no signage existed on the beach that indicated the trail. This matter will be followed up by the committee.
14. Seals: Due to strong westerly winds and rough sea normally experienced during December months, it is a common phenomenon that puppy seals are washed onto the beach at Cannon Rocks and surrounding area. People were advised not to approach these stranded seals and to prevent their dogs from harassing them. Lana Cummings could be contacted and will co-ordinate the removal of the stranded seals.
PORTFOLIO: COMMUNITY SERVICES.
15. Entrance: The committee wishes to extend sincere thanks to André Steyn, for cutting the lawn at the entrance to Cannon Rocks.
16. Closure of Rubbish Sites: The closure of both the refuse sites at Cannon Rocks is still an issue with the Municipality. The committee is unable to give further feedback.
17. Focus Area: Refuse Sites.
17.1. With the assistance from the staff at the Heritage site, 2000 black bags of rubbish around the refuse site were collected. Residents are requested not to dump their rubbish on the ground but to rather put it into the skips. Refuse will be removed daily during December and the skips will be replaced twice a week.
17.2. Residents are encouraged to adopt a culture of recycling. Recyclable items should be placed in a clear plastic bag and placed out with their normal rubbish for collection. Large clear plastic bags can be obtained from the Caravan Park Café for R1.00 each. Residents who are leaving, before rubbish collection days are encouraged to either leave their rubbish at the rubbish site, or arrange with a neighbour to put it out for them.
17.3. Noise pollution and fireworks was raised as an issue. The meeting advised those residence who were affected to contact the relevant authorities.
PORTFOLIO: LOCAL GOVERNMENT
18. Community Hall. A tender was submitted to rent the Community Hall. It is expected that a Memorandum of Agreement between the Cannon Rocks Ratepayers Association and the Ndlambe Municipality will be finalised during January/February 2012.
PORTFOLIO: POLICING AND SAFETY
19. Crime Rates. The meeting was informed that the crime rate in Cannon Rocks has dropped during the last few months. However, the SAPS representatives urged the residents to ensure that their property is properly secured.
20. Fixed Point Station. The South African Police Service has established a temporary reporting point at the caravan park in Cannon Rocks. Arrangements have been made with the security companies for a night patrol on bicycles (“Bobby-on-Beat”) using the two bicycles donated by Mr Gooch. The current cost for this service, is being born by the Security Company, Caravan Park and the Cannon Rocks Ratepayers Association. Due to the high cost for this service it will only be in operation during the holiday period. If the members wish this service to be continued, it will cost approximately R10,00 per month per member. Members are asked to give written confirmation, that they are prepared to make a monthly subscription to this service. In the meantime the committee will investigate other options, including community policing.
21. Surveillance Cameras. At the previous AGM the committee were tasked with investigating the installation of surveillance cameras. The estimated cost would have been approximately R35 000,00. Donations from the members were requested. However the amount donated over this past year has fallen far short of the required amount. The committee therefore asked the members if this project should be continued.
21.1. Decision. The members voted to discontinue the project. An undertaking was made to refund all those members who had made donations.
22. Crime Forum. A word of thanks was extended to the Alexandria South African Police Service for the attention that they had given both the communities of Cannon Rocks and Boknesstrand. Residents are warned to ensure the credentials of any domestic person they may employ.
PORTFOLIO: ADVERTISING
23. Approval for Advertising. The committee applied for permission to advertise in terms of an Ndlambe Municipal Notice that appeared in the Talk of the Town during September 2011. Rental agreements have been formalised and approved for both the advertising boards at the entrance of Cannon Rocks and at the road crossing at Boknesstrand. A memorandum of Agreement between Cannon Rocks Ratepayers association and the Boknesstrand Ratepayers association regarding the notice board at the crossroads has been formalised.
PORTFOLIO: WARD 2
24. Ward Meetings. Unfortunately the Ward meetings have been dysfunctional for 2011 with only one meeting since the Local Elections.
LOCAL SPORT
25. Swimming Area. Concern was raised over safety at the swimming beach. No lifeguards had been assigned to Cannon Rocks this year. The possibility of establishing a local emergency rescue process should be considered.
26. Kite Surfing. The local Kite Surfing group has again organized a National Kite Surfing event. This will take place from the 5 January 2012 to 8 January 2012. Residents are urged to support this event.
FINANCE
27. The treasury presented the income and expenditure statement to the meeting. The members expressed their gratitude for sound financial management statements.
ELECTION OF COMMITTEE
28. The election of committee members was conducted under the auspices of the vice chairperson. Five positions had come available for election. Nominees were as follows.
- Bert Venter (1 year period)
- Pierre Rousseau
- Barry Fourie
- Barbara Beckman
- Elly Grossman
29. As no further nominees were received, the nominees were formally accepted. The chairman, Bert Venter, announced that he intends to stand down as chairman. The vice chairman, Johnny Nortje, wished to thank Bert Venter for the service he had given to the community as Chairman during the last four years. However, he will serve for a period of one year as a committee member to ensure a smooth transition.
CLOSURE
30. The Chairman closed the meeting at 11h30. Everybody was invited to enjoy some refreshments.
Confirmed true and correct on this _________day of ________ 2011
CHAIRMAN_____________________SECRETARY_____________________________