Statement by Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth
Council’s approval today of two key matters put forward by the City’s Economic Growth Directorate are key steps on the road to economic relief and provide support to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and non-profit organisations (NPOs) to operate.
The first step relates to the waiving of development charges for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and non-profit organisations (NPOs).
As a caring, well run City, the Development Charges Policy is based on an equitable and sustainable model for providing infrastructure to promote economic growth. This results in the total cost of infrastructure for new development being apportioned to the new users according to the land use model and relies on each user paying for their share of the infrastructure.
I was pleased to put this item before Council for their decision to give exemption to Non-Profit and Non-Governmental Organisations from paying development contributions for social care purposes when it comes to property transactions. This will give effect to the social benefit and economic gain of the disposal of City-owned land to such organisations, and the associated struggle to obtain funding for these administrative processes.
An example of one such beneficiary who will benefit, is the Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum, an NPO in Strand that memorialises and showcases the history of workers under apartheid. For the museum to be compliant with appropriate zoning of their property, the subdivision and rezoning of the site is required. As per the standard conditions for this process, development charges would be payable by the NPO and NGOs. These costs will now be waived.
And NPOs or NGOs wanting to know more about the development charges’ waiver can contact us on property.management@capetown.gov.za with their queries.
The second relates to the extension of the informal trading permit relief from the currently agreed date of 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2022. This decision aligns with the national Covid-19 Proclamation and assists with reducing the confusion related to the National Government injunction.
It is also in line with the City’s efforts to support Cape Town’s traders with mechanisms that make life easier for them and the consumers they interact with.
The extension of the permit relief and the waiver of the development charges for organisations of social good point to the Economic Growth Directorate’s ability to adopt a cross-cutting implementation strategy focusing on rolling out quicker, simpler and cost-effective solutions. This will go some way toward relieving the financial burdens of Capetonians most in need of such reprieve.
Source: City Of Cape Town