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The City of Cape Town has decided to extend the comment period on its Draft Budget for the 2016/17 to 2018/19 financial year by a week, to 29 April 2016, in an effort to garner more public input for consideration.
The City’s hopes that by extending the period for public comment on the Draft Budget, comprising approximately R40,7 billion for the 2016/17 financial year, it will give more residents more time to scrutinise the document and to contribute their insights and suggestions.
‘It is important that we plan with the people of Cape Town and not for them through a collaborative approach. Our residents and ratepayers must therefore scrutinise the draft budget and send us their comments for consideration.
‘We have had to look very closely at balancing the City’s operational needs with the realities on the ground and the broader context in which we are working. We have looked at where we can trim the fat, work more efficiently, get more value for money, and also alleviate the pressure on our residents where at all possible,’ said the City’s Executive Deputy Mayor, Alderman Ian Neilson.The City has managed to keep its average increases markedly lower than in the previous financial year in most instances, although somewhat above consumer price inflation as a result of, for instance, the Eskom tariff increase and the cost of repairs and maintenance – especially for water and sanitation infrastructure.
The proposed average rates and tariffs are:
In addition, the City is proposing that:
- the total cost of the proposed social package for the 2016/17 financial year amount to approximately R2,5 billion. This comprises R1,1 billion for indigent relief and R1,4 billion for rates rebates
- the cent-in-the-rand reduce by 7% for residential properties from 0,6879 c/R (2015/16) to 0,6397 c/R (2016/17)
The City’s draft budget, including budget-related policies and the proposed tariffs and property rates, is available at subcouncil offices and libraries. Interested parties are invited to submit comments to the City Manager by sending an e-mail tocity.manager@capetown.gov.za by 29 April 2016.
Residents can also view the draft budget online by visiting http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Budget/Pages/Budget-2016-17.aspx
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