In the past few weeks, the City hosted more than 100 public meetings which were well attended by community representatives and interested residents. The City has had to adjust the way it engages with residents in order to reduce risk and prevent the spread of Covid-19. In addition to communicating on the draft budget via social media, telephone, WhatsApp, through mailers, media releases and the City’s website, a limited number of engagements at Subcouncil level and other forums were undertaken while adhering to Covid-19 safety precautions.
 
All formally submitted public comments will be considered and responded to when the budget is tabled for adoption by Council in May 2021.
 

‘One of the highlights of this budget is the proposed R3,4 billion available to help qualifying residents with rates and services relief. We encourage all residents who are in need of assistance to ask us for help. We also continue to do our best to protect residents and ratepayers as much as possible from rising costs, especially from Eskom’s massive price increase. This has resulted in extensive budget cuts. Most notably, some R460 million has been cut from staffing and contracting services, while safeguarding basic service provision as far as possible. To assist already struggling residents, communities and businesses, this budget was prepared with the intention of keeping rates and service charges to the bare minimum,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Alderman Ian Neilson.
 
‘The City is doing everything it can to bring the draft budget directly to the residents and ratepayers. It is important that all interested residents scrutinise and comment on the budget, so they can be a part of the City’s efforts to provide the best possible service to all across the metro. Thank you to our ward and PR councillors for continuing to be our public and City ambassadors, and helping to inform our residents about City matters in an accurate, inclusive and responsible manner,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.
 
Public participation: comment by 3 May 2021
Covid-19 has an impact on the public participation process. To view the Tabled Budget, please visit: www.capetown.gov.za/budget or go to your nearest sub-council office or library for a copy of the budget.