Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
With reference to the skills centre in Beaufort West:
(1) Whether the municipal erf (land) is zoned for the building of a skills centre; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether a copy of the completed building plans of the skills centre as submitted to the Beaufort West Municipality can be made available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether the municipal erf was surrendered by the municipality for the purpose of building a skills centre; if so;
(4) whether a copy of the council minutes where such a decision was taken be made available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(5) (a) who funded the cost of the building the skills centre, (b) what was the total cost allocated for the building of the skills centre, (c) what are the names of the (i) contractor and (ii) subcontractor and/or any other contractor who was commissioned to build the said skill centre;
(6) whether the building of the skills centre is complete; if not, why not; if so, when was the skills centre handed over to the community?
(1) The erf (land) is not zoned for this purpose and must first be subdivided before this portion of land can be rezoned. A surveyor must be appointed to subdivide the property and the maps must be submitted with the application for subdivision. The application for subdivision and the application for rezoning can however be done simultaneously.
(2) One of the conditions for the approval of a building plan is that the property should be suitable for the intended use, as proposed in the building plans. As already mentioned in (1) above, the zoning of the land is not suitable for the proposed use and is part of the reasons why there is no approved building plans for the structure erected.
(3) In December 2015, Council made the portion of erf 5139 available for the development with the condition that all costs associated with the rezoning, subdivision and related services problems, such as storm water would be for the account of the developer.
(4) A copy is attached as Annexure “A”.
(5) (a) The Contractor was appointed by the Construction SETA.
(b) The survey costs according to the building plans amounted to ± R5 534,000.00.
(c) Beaufort West Municipality was not involved in the construction of the building and does not have any knowledge of the commitments made.
(6) The construction of the Skills Centre was handled by the Construction SETA. Beaufort West Municipality was not involved in the appointment of the contractor and also not involved in any supervision during construction. Beaufort West Municipality therefore cannot confirm whether the construction is complete. The Municipality can indeed confirm that no Occupancy Certificate has been issued for the building.
