POLITICAL NEWS - The impact on ratepayers must be urgently considered before spending R400 000 on marketing the municipality. 

Residents cannot afford to pay for frills when they are struggling to survive financially.

• The ACDP objects to the resolutions of council supported by the DA and the ANC to use R400 000 to advertise the municipality.

• The ACDP says the Tourism Bureau is already tasked and funded to promote the town.

•The ACDP calls on other opposition to be vigilang on how ratepayers' and residents' money is being spent.

The economic contraction and the impact thereof on ratepayers must be considered when determining how money is spent. The ACDP councillor in Mossel Bay has strongly objected to a council decision in which R400 000 of resident`s money will be used to advertise the Mossel Bay Municipality on a billboard along the Louis Fourie Road.

In a virtual council meeting held on the 25 June 2020 the ACDP councillor queried item E75 in which it was recommended that the Mossel Bay Municipality spend R400 000 on a municipal billboard for marketing purposes.

The ACDP questions the need for the municipality to advertise since they are simply a service provider and not a business that needs to advertise in order to sell any product.

Political representatives should exercise stringent controls in municipal expenditure during this time particularly considering the Cost Containment Policy that was accepted by this municipality in an effort to cut operating costs to the budget and even more particularly since the economy has taken a major downturn due to the national lockdown and the subsequent effect on all resident`s income.

The Mossel Bay Tourism Bureau is already the beneficiary of funds from this municipality. These funds are to be used with the express purpose of marketing the town. Directors of the board include the municipal manager and several DA councilllors thus the municipality has a direct say in the application of these funds.

There are other future expenses which should be considered and further financial pressures that will inevitably follow as the economy shrinks negatively. Already the effect of the lockdown can be seen in town as businesses have closed and a humanitarian food crisis develops. Spending on non- essential items can be considered wasteful in light of the other budget items covering marketing.

Due process will now see this council resolution be advertised for public participation. The ACDP encourages residents to have their say and vigorously oppose unnecessary expenditure.

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