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Enquiries: Mrs L.A. Couzens
Imibuzo:
Navrae :
Telephone: (033) 355 6303
Ucingo :
Telefoon:
Private Bag:
Isikhwama Seposi:
Privaat Sak:
X9123
Pietermaritzburg
3200
Reference: HO/13/P/3/MPRA
Inkomba: Initial steps towards
Verwysing: the Implementation
Fax
: (033) 345 5831
Isikhahlamezi:
Faks
Email: lesley.couzens@kznlgta.gov.za
CHIEF DIRECTORATE: LOCAL GOVERNMENT CIRCULAR No. 6 OF 2006
TO ALL MUNICIPAL MANAGERS
CIRCULAR LETTER TO ALL MUNICIPAL MANAGERS: RECOMMENDATION
FOR THE INITIAL STEPS TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
MUNICIPAL PROPERTY RATES ACT, 2004 (ACT NO. 6 OF 2004)
Responses from the checklists and the DPLG questionnaires indicate that the
majority of Local Municipalities within the Province preferred date for the
implementation of this Act is 1 July 2008. The Department has developed strategies
to assist local municipalities aligned with this time frame.
An implementation workshop for all local municipalities will be held on 24 th March
2006. The purpose of this function is to provide an overview of the Provincial
Programme of Action to date and introduce the Procedural Guidelines to the
stakeholders. It is crucial that you attend this workshop.
Building on this platform the Department intends to convene participatory workshops
with the local municipalities at a District area level to further assist them with the
implementation process.
The Department recommends that local municipalities take the following steps
to initiate the implementation of the MPRA:
Step 1: Initiating the implementation process
Responsibility: Municipal manager
Time frame:
1 February 2006
Reference:
Departmental recommendation
S16 (2) MFMA
Departmental Circular 3 of 2006
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Draft Council resolution to proceed with the implementation of the Municipal
Property Rates Act, 2004.
Table Council resolution to proceed with the implementation of the Municipal
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Property Rates Act, 2004.
Table recommendation to Council for Municipal Manager to appoint a Task
Team to co-ordinate the implementation process.
Compile budget requirements for the Roll-out. (See attached schedule)
Table proposed annual budget 90 days before start of budget year.
Ensure that MPRA activities for the 2006/2007 year have been catered for.
Make adjustments to the budget and table as required.
Establishing Municipal Implementation Task Team: MPRA
Responsibility: Municipal manager
Time frame:
1 February 2006
Reference:
Departmental recommendation
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Municipal Manager to identify and nominate officials to serve on Task Team
(Finance, Legal, Technical representatives).
Executive Committee appoints Municipal Task Team to co-ordinate
implementation strategy. Recommended number of members: Minimum of
four (4) members.
Local Municipality Implementation Task Team Guidelines
Action to be taken by:
Responsibility:
Time frame:
Reference:
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Task Team
Municipal manager
1 February 2006
Departmental recommendation
Appoint implementation officer.
Decide on scope of work, roles and responsibilities of task team.
Decide on frequency of meetings.
Define reporting procedures.
Programme Launch
Task team to attend Programme Information workshop: 24th March 2006, Sinodale
Centre, Pietermaritzburg
Councillor Orientation
Responsibility: Municipal manager
Time frame:
1 February 2006
Reference:
Departmental recommendation
3
Community participation: Initial work
Action to be taken by:
Responsibility:
Time frame:
Reference:
Task Team
Municipal manager
February 2006
Departmental recommendation
General awareness campaign: MPRA
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Differentiate between existing and new ratepayers.
Compile lists of stakeholders of existing ratepayers and new ratepayers.
Existing ratepayers
Possible stakeholders include:
Ratepayers associations,
Business forums,
Chambers of commerce,
Ward committees,
Youth groups,
women's groups,
NGO’s;
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Other mechanisms
Mayors imbizo’s,
Municipal newsletters and
newspapers,
Radio
Reverse of service accounts.
Orientation workshops
Community meetings,
Ward councils
New ratepayers
State land: Govt Depts
public works;
PSI: ESKOM
Telkom,
Roads,
Spoornet.
Agricultural sector:
Farmers association,
Traditional leaders,
Land reform beneficiaries,
Rural communities.
 Other mechanisms
 Reverse of utility account;
 Flyers;
 Posters (note: this material must
be translated into isizulu
Information
meetings with:
Kwanalu,
Farmer
associations
Ward committees.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS
DATE: _____________________________