While Executive Mayor ‘Boffie’ Strydom delivered a well-balanced and meaningful medium-term budget for 2024/ 2025 – 2026/2027 he spelled out some of the risks faced.
He explained that the Budget Steering Committee had initiated planning early in January and that it had been a difficult road and hard decisions had to be made.
Within a deteriorating fiscal environment, strategies and plans had to be adopted to safeguard current revenue with the following eight risks identified for the 2024/ 2025 – 2026/ 2027 budget period:
- Reduction in Roads Allocation.
- Clarity on Water Services Authority.
- Reduction in Conditional Grants (3(iv)).
- Mitigating Reduction in Equitable Share Formula.
- Mitigating Reduction in Equitable Share RSC Replacement.
- Unfavourable Roads VAT Enhancement Outcomes.
- Managing potential decrease in Interest Rate; and
- Unaffordable salary and wages budget 2026/2027.
The municipality is vulnerable as it effectively only controls 4.63% of its revenue budget. The Executive Mayor stressed the importance of:
- Securing the Provincial Roads function.
- Facilitating a long-term engagement regarding Water Concession, and
- Discussions and negotiations accelerate regarding the establishment of a Western Cape District Petrol Levy.
The risks cannot be wished away and the Weskus team is actively and intelligently exploring solutions and, in many instances finding and implementing answers. These solutions range from reviewing operating costs right through to focusing on self-generation of revenue through business opportunities.
In this respect, the Weskus mantra of ‘Laat Waai’ provides the urgency, drive and intensity required to meet challenges.
Visit the link for the full budget speech.
https://westcoastdm.co.za/download/wcdm-mtref-2024-2025-final-budget/
10177 (022) 433 8700
Is the Emergency number for the Fire and Medical Services within the West Coast District.
Is die Noodnommer vir die Brandweer- en Mediesedienste binne die Weskus Distrik.
