Record of a Public Meeting Held at the Angling Club on 31 August 2023

RECORD OF A PUBLIC MEETING HELD AT THE ANGLING CLUB, PEARLY BEACH, ON THURSDAY, 31 AUGUST, 2023 AT 16H00.

The Chairperson of the Pearly Beach Ratepayers Association, Shirley Coetzee welcomed everyone to the meeting and opened in prayer.

Before handing over to the Ward Councillor, she advised the meeting that that the potholes forming in various streets after heavy rain had been reported via Collaborator and that these would be repaired once the weather improved.

The “Dogs on Beaches” programme will be addressed once the Dog/Cat policy has been finalized by Council. This is currently out for public comment. 

Cllr Steven Fourie then addressed the meeting:

The Overstrand Municipality has launched an inter-active collaboration app, Collaborator Citizen which can be downloaded on your phone. Once you have registered you will be able to report any problems to the municipality via the app. A job card is generated which is then forwarded to the relevant department. The issues are monitored by each department and stay on the app until completed. Feedback is also given to the complainant.

Revisions or additions to the municipal IDP will be discussed at the ward committee meetings on the 12 September. It is important that residents inform their representative if any new requests need to be added. 

Each Ward Councillor has a WhatsApp group. If one wishes to have communication via WhatsApp, you need to forward your name and cell phone number to the Councillor in order to be added to the group.

Cllr Fourie requested that new residents’ contact details be forwarded to him as Councillors are assisting with voting registration for the 2024 elections. Anyone wanting to vote in Pearly Beach will need to be registered here. It was noted that one can register online.

Cllr Fourie implored everyone to avoid forwarding unverified voice notes or messages via WhatsApp, but rather to contact the Ward Councillor, Executive Mayor or SAPS in order to obtain clarity and to receive confirmation in this regard.

Cllr Fourie stated that he had received a request for a section of public open space at Arc Street to be used for a Jukskei court. This item will be discussed at the Ward 11 committee meeting on 12 September.

The floor was then opened for questions which Cllr Fourie and Alderman Coetzee addressed:

Q Would it be possible for SAPS to do visible patrolling as there has been an increase in burglaries?

A Cllr Fourie said he would raise this at the CPF meeting and also address it with Colonel Coetzee. Pearly Beach is regarded as a rural area and thus there are fewer SAPS patrols. He also mentioned that if a break-in is not reported to SAPS there is no reference number given and therefore it is not recorded.

The Neighbourhood Watch is busy raising funds for cameras to be erected in the village as well as carrying out regular patrols at night. A representative asked if more people would volunteer to patrol once a month as they are in need of more members.

Q What can be done to combat poaching?

A Cllr Fourie stated that DFFE are responsible for the protection of the ocean and SAPS for the beaches. The best way forward would be to cut off the market in China.

Jason Stonehewer mentioned the Marine Anti-Poaching unit contact number for reporting poaching activities is 060 907 2326.

With no further questions, the meeting was closed at 16h44.