PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

8 August 2003

Mr Kishore

Pietermaritzburg Municipality

Fax: 031 332 3535

Dear Mr Kishore

PORTFLIO COMMITTEE FOR PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: PROCESSING OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROPERTY RATES BILL: 19 -2003.

The current work programme of the Portfolio Committee in the above regard refers. Of particular reference is the correspondence between this Committee and SALGA during June, and later discussions on this matter between SALGA and yourselves.

We wish to confirm our invitation to you to attend a meeting with the Committee on Wednesday, 13 August 2003 in Committee Room 265, 2nd Floor, 120 Plein Street, Parliament from 09:30 - 17:00.

In order to assist our deliberations, it would be useful if your input could cover the following critical concerns:

 

A: BASIS FOR VALUATION

  1. In terms of existing practice within your jurisdiction, what is the basis for valuation and rating? Is it Site only or Land and Improvements?
  2. In the event that you use Site only, do you also record the value of improvements, and vive versa?
  3. Do you use a flat (uniform) or composite (variable) rating system?
  4. Is there any discernable impact that you are aware of in moving to a flat rate based on Land and Improvements?
  5. What will be the broader impact on the citizenry? In particular:
  6. The effect on the poor and lower middle classes

    The effect on social mobility of people

    The effect on desegregation of living areas

  7. What would be the administrative feasibility of such a move? Would it contribute to municipal efficiency?
  8. Shift in the incidence on both the high and low end of the property market since amalgamation?
  9. What is the impact on rural areas?
  10. B: OTHER ISSUES

  11. How do you deal with exemptions and exclusions?
  12. How and what public service infrastructure you value and rate?
  13. How do you determine and rate charitable and welfare organizations, particularly religious organizations and places of worship?
  14. Do you rate agricultural land? If so, how, and what has been the consequences.

Any queries may be addressed to Mr Llewellyn Brown at Tel: 021 403 3764, Cell: 082 397 0898 or Fax: 403 2880.

*Should you need any further information, be free too contact me at 083 303 8607.

Yours sincerely

 

Rev A Goosen

Chairperson: Sub-Committee - Property Rates Bill