(A) PRE-AMBLE

One of the main objectives of the Council is to ensure the provision of basic services to the community in a sustainable manner. This objective will, however, only be possible within the financial and administrative capacity of the Council. The Council recognises the fact that the community has a right of access to basic services. This, however, does not give the community the right to the services.

The Council also recognises the fact that many of the residents can simply not afford the cost of full service provision and for this reason the Council will endeavour to ensure affordability through:

• Setting tariffs in terms of the Councils Tariff Policy which will balance the economic viability of continued service delivery;

- Determining appropriate service levels.

(B) SOURCE OF INCOME

The Council needs to have access to adequate sources of revenue in order to fulfil its constitutional obligation. The available sources should be fully exploited to meet the developmental objectives.

Two main sources of income exist:

- Own revenue which is the main source of income to the Council and which is based on the economic cost to render the service required by the community;

- Transfers from the other spheres of government of which intergovernmental transfers is the most important. A portion of this income (equitable share) is earmarked for indigent relief which will be used to alleviate and address poverty.

8 STANDARDS OF SERVICE

The Council accepts that they are responsible for the rendering of services in terms of schedules 4 and 5 of the Constitution as well as other services which may be delegated by National and Provincial Government..

In this regard the Council has accepted the standards for service levels as contained in the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Framework (MIIF) and which are as follow:

Communities will have to choose an appropriate mix of levels of services based on local priorities and affordability. The Council realises that in certain circumstances and as a result of past policies certain services are available to communities, the cost of which are beyond the financial means of such communities, and will through this policy assist those communities within the financial ability of the Council.

In each instance the economic cost to render the services shall be calculated in accordance with the Councils Tariff Policy and the level of support shall be based on the following:

(D) CRITERIA FOR INDIGENT SUPPORT

In order to qualify for financial assistance the following will apply:

(I) Only registered residential consumers of services delivered by the Council will qualify.

2. Assistance in respect of assessment rates, service fees, sewerage fees and basic water charges will only be granted to owners of properties, permission to occupy, certificate to occupy and residents in municipal controlled dwellings/flats.

- The latest municipal account in his/her possession;

- An application form duly completed with the necessary proof as required.

(E ) LEVEL OF INDIGENT SUPPORT

(F) DISTRIBUTION OF INDIGENT SUPPORT

(I) All accounts will indicate the economic cost of the services calculated in accordance with the Councils Tariff Policy.

(ii) The qualifying recipients of indigent reliefs monthly account will be credited with the respective amount in respect of indigent relief.

(G) APPLICATION FOR INDIGENT SUPPORT

(I) All residents complying with the criteria may apply for indigent relief.

2. Application must be made during March and September of each year and will apply from the first of the month following the month of application.
3. Indigent relief will, unless re-application has been made and approved, cease after six months from implementation.
4. All applications must be made on the prescribed form and all additional information must

(v) The onus is on the account holders to re-apply for support on a biannual basis.

(H) COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

(I) Name of recipient;

(ii) Street address/stand number of recipient;

(iii) Amount of monthly account;

(iv) Balance of account

The above will also, with exception of (iii) be displayed at the various cashier offices for general notice and reports of false information, together with sworn affidavits, where applicable.

(I) ACTIONS IN CASE OF FALSE INFORMATION

Should it be established that a recipient of indigent relief has supplied the council with false information or not informed the Council of a change in circumstances within the household;

(I) The indigent support will be stopped immediately.

(ii) The recipient will be liable for the repayment of all indigent support received for the period involved which amount will be debited against the account.

(iii) Normal credit control in accordance with the Council=s Credit Control Policy will apply.

(iv) Criminal charges may be instituted against the account holder for supplying false information.

It should be noted that at all times the onus to re-apply for support or submit proof of change in circumstances is on the account holder.