RESIDENTS of Cambridge Location were able to put forward their needs and priorities at the first public hearing on Buffalo City's Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget.

The meeting, chaired by ward councillor Thabo Myira, took place on 14 April at Gcobani Hall. Welcoming the residents, Myira said: x"This is an opportunity for you [residents] to give input to the plans of the City in order for us to have a productive year."

Presenting the 2010/11 budget, the portfolio head for corporate services, Sizwe Dikimolo, highlighted a few issues that were raised at the IDP public hearings in 2009. These included the public ablution facilities that were being installed in Cambridge, bush clearance, job creation, housing, street lights in Ward 1 informal settlements and the construction of a bridge between Cambridge Railway Station and Cambridge Location.

Dikimolo pointed out the issue of illegal electricity connections in the area, saying: "we are busy investigating the problem and households with illegal connections will [have them] removed".

The proposed budget for 2010/11 looked at the addition of mobile clinics, the upgrading and rehabilitation of roads, the upgrading of clinics, and the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit system, he said.

Rates rebates for senior citizens were also discussed, with Dikimolo explaining the requirements to qualify for a rates rebate: the property owner must be 60 years or older, must be a registered owner of the property, must reside permanently on the property, must have a valid South African identity document, must have a bank statement, payslip and pension card, and must have a gross income that does not exceed R5 000.

He also gave an overview of the criteria for the indigent subsidy and encouraged residents to apply. "The municipality has these opportunities for you to benefit from them so it is wise to take that chance and apply for these benefits."

For an indigent subsidy, an applicant must reside at a fixed property, have a valid South African identity book, have an affidavit if the unemployed and a payslip if employed, have a meter box number, bank statement and a signed letter from the ward councillor.

In its plans, the City aimed to upgrade electricity facilities and improve waste collection, and increase the number of fire engines and fire equipment as the area was prone to fires.

The general manager of waste management in the City, Yoliswa Sinyanya, recognised that there was a major backlog regarding waste management.