A positive turnaround for Kenilworth, a suburb which as recently as last month was described as a suburb in decline, may be on the cards from as early as July next year as the Upper Claremont Improvement District (UKID) comes online.
Voting for the community improvement district (CID) closed on Wednesday 30 November.
About 1 250 “yes” votes were required for the CID to be approved.
Debbie Wall-Smith, a member of the UKID steering committee, says, just under 1 300 consent votes were received, equating to over 58% of residents voting in favour. Under 4% voted against.
Two members of the committee – consisting of Chris Bertie, chair; Peter Golding, vice chair; Duncan Houston, secretary; Smith, urban and environmental management; Rob Kaye, public safety; Simon Jooste, social issues management; and Dana Yerushalmy, member – spent over 60 hours collating the votes.
Smith explains they conducted the internal audit using various check mechanisms created by Houston.
“Through this audit, we could identify properties where we had not completed all the fields or where the voting entry did not match a vote. We then checked and rechecked, trying to identify and find missing votes. Our chair delivered a formal application to the City on Thursday (1 December) at 11:00,” says Smith.
Cape{town}etc last month reported that the prevalence of prostitution, drug use and physical attacks in broad daylight in Kenilworth had left the community living in fear.
At a community meeting held on Friday 18 November at Summerley Court, to address the article, Mikhail Manuel, councillor for Ward 59, said while Kenilworth had its crime and grime challenges, these hadn’t gotten worse in the past few months. He added they also had not become better. As an example, he said while ward allocations had been set aside, for cleansing to supplement the City’s limited resources, it was not sustainable.
“The areas that are particularly bad are characterised by being surrounded by very well-organised, very well-resourced organisations focusing on crime and grime issues, and we have tried to fill the gap. We’re happy to discuss options in various challenges but we think that the real sustainable solution is kind of sitting before you,” Manuel said, referring to the possible formation of a CID.
The proposed UKID geographical area includes Harfield Road (south side) in the north; the railway line in the east; Smithers Road, Indian Road (both sides) and Aliwal Road (north side) in the north; and Tennant Road (east side), Mains Avenue (south side), the Main Road business precinct (both sides of Main Road ending at Myrtle Road on the north west side) and Main Road (east side) in the west.
During a presentation at a UKID public meeting held at Voortrekker High School on Tuesday 6 September, Bertie said the area they were living in was sandwiched by three CIDs – Claremont, Lower Kenilworth and Wynberg 3.
“As a result, we have become a dumping ground for unwanted trouble makers as a result of this sandwiching effect. The common criminals that wander around our UKID area do this here as there is no structuredsecurity system in the area looking out for ‘no gooders’ who attack, pilfer and steal from people. With a CID in place in Kenilworth, those common criminals will feel unwanted in our area and move elsewhere,” said Bertie.
According to the UKID’s business plan, the majority of the CID’s expenditure will be set aside for public safety.
This will include a comprehensive CCTV system to monitor 60 cameras initially, patrol vehicles (one during the day, two at night), three officers on foot in the business precinct from 06:00 to 20:00, seven days a week, and a dedicated CID manager who will be responsible for following up on cases and working with the police.
Other proposed services and projects will include urban management (potholes, illegal dumping, street lights), cleansing, environment and social intervention initiatives.
Smith says if the votes pass the audit, the City will inform the committee that they can advertise and hold another public meeting. They will also have to endeavour to inform every property owner in the area of the success of the application and the voting outlet. She says the expect this to take place in February.
“If all is successful, then an application is made to the City Council to establish the special rating area. Once approved by the City, the additional rate can be collected when the new budget starts in July.”
Smith adds that a board of directors will need to be appointed.
“Any ratepayer in the UKID area can request to be a member of the CID and can stand for the board of directors. The board will then employ staff and appoint contractors through a transparent process of requesting quotes and selecting service providers.”
Smith says that it is her hope that when the UKID is formed, they will be able to employ one or two peace officers who will be able to fine people for loitering.
“Every time I walk and see litter in the streets, I smile and think next year there will be far less litter, we may even have two parks.”
She says they also intend to have a social worker working with street people to help unite them with their families and to ensure that those who have mental health issues receive treatment.
“I encountered a mentally ill man last night when I was walking my dog and thought next year I will be able to help him. It will be a far more pleasant suburb to live in,” says Smith.
- For more information, visit ukid.co.za
