Latest news with #municipality
The Herald
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Province mulls intervention in Knysna municipality over governance, service delivery failures
Knysna municipality has been issued with a notice of intention to intervene in its affairs by the Western Cape government, citing governance failures with collapsing infrastructure and poor basic service delivery. Local government, environmental affairs and development planning MEC Anton Bredell issued the notice in terms of the constitution and said he was considering making a recommendation to the provincial executive that the council of the Garden Route town be dissolved. The municipality has been governed by unstable coalitions. Bredell said despite repeated interventions to assist the municipality, it continued to experience 'serious challenges in governance and service delivery'. 'Despite various interventions, the municipality has not prioritised addressing its executive obligation failures. Consequently, the situation continues to deteriorate, even with assistance from the national and provincial governments. 'The quality of municipal services is worsening, with service delivery crises becoming more frequent. It is foreseeable that basic service delivery will continue to degrade unless the [provincial government] intervenes in the municipality.' He said the consequences for residents had been severe, including: repeated sewage spills; prolonged water shortages; and inconsistent refuse removal. 'The municipality's failure to rectify its lapses in service delivery resulted in numerous directives and notices being issued by agencies tasked with environmental compliance and enforcement. Citizens have organised themselves and taken it upon themselves to attend to some of the service delivery failures at their cost.' The provincial government said it would make a decision once it received the municipality's response to the notice. TimesLIVE
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Leamington council approves new security cameras to improve safety
The Municipality of Leamington has approved new measures to help improve safety. Council met on Tuesday evening where they were presented a report to approve a number of new security cameras around the municipality. It had been approved in the 2025 Capital budget to add these cameras around the municipality, and council approved the purchase of the security cameras to Empire Communications with a price tag of $115,000. These cameras will be installed within the Marina parking lot, Seacliff Park Concessions, Seacliff Park Amphitheatre, Performer Room, Mersea Park, the Rainbow Crossing, the OPP station, and the employee parking lot at the municipal building. These cameras will be able to assist the municipality or police with any incidents or issues that may occur. David DelClancio, manager of information technology with the municipality, said the cameras will mainly be located on the buildings or facilities. 'We haven't accommodated for every location throughout these parks because they're very large, and there's limited infrastructure and limited locations where cameras can be installed,' he said. 'However, with consultation with the vendor, we're going to try to position the cameras to maximize its area of coverage.' He said there will be some embedded artificial intelligence in these systems for enhanced searches. 'Rather than combing through footage trying to look for an event, you can conduct searches such as 'find individuals wearing blue shirts during this time period', and the solution will bring up all the clips of any individual wearing a blue shirt.' DelClancio said the cameras are being installed to protect local facilities. 'The capabilities of this system will record everything; however it will just alleviate some effort into when we're doing some kind of investigation or pulling footage for further review.' These cameras are being paid for through the IT Reserve Fund. The municipality continues to try to address concerns related to noise, loitering, and disruptive activity in the waterfront and marina areas. As they wait for the cameras to be installed, there will be ongoing enforcement and new signage installed at the marina. The sign outlines that parking is permitted between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., no loitering is allowed, and no excessive noise, tire squealing, or engine revving. OPP will also be increasing their presence in the area to support these efforts. - Written by Meagan Delaurier/AM800 News.
CBC
5 days ago
- General
- CBC
Nanaimo, B.C., debates joining municipalities that ban invasive species
The City of Nanaimo might soon join a list of municipalities that prohibit the sale and distribution of invasive plants, in absence of provincewide laws on the matter. On Monday, city councillors are scheduled to consider a staff report that recommends a bylaw to ban specific species on the Invasive Species Council of B.C. (ISCBC) list, including some common household vines and flowers like English ivy, baby's breath and foxgloves. "Over 60 per cent of our invasive plants are actually intentionally planted," said Gail Wallin, ISCBC's executive director. "So great work, great step forward." The report says invasive plants can harm the environment, human health and even the economy. "They can thrive on land and in aquatic environments and can impact biodiversity and natural habitats," according to the report. "Since the plants are introduced, they have limited natural predators and tend to grow rapidly, out-compete native plants, and can be challenging to manage even with a long-term approach." Invasive plants can damage infrastructure, alter water flows and become fire hazards, according to the report. It also states that provincial regulations like the Weed Control Act have outdated species lists and little effective means of enforcement, but the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has been reviewing current legislation regarding the sale of invasive plants and their seeds in B.C. Other municipalities with similar prohibitions include Squamish and Oak Bay. "There is a need for stronger provincial regulation on on invasive species," Wallin agreed. Many invasive plants can be found at nurseries across B.C., where they're sold on their own or as part of ornamental baskets, she said. Worries about implementation Walter Pinnow, operations coordinator at Green Thumb Nursery in Nanaimo, said his workplace doesn't sell invasive plants — even though some customers still ask for them. "We just had a customer asking us for foxglove the other day," Pinnow said, adding people often ask for chickory, a plant with little blue flowers commonly seen on the side of B.C. highways. Gardeners don't always know that many of the flowers they see are actually invasive, Pinnow said. He supports the report and the creation of a bylaw to ban the sale of invasive plants, but said he worries about how it would be regulated or enforced. Pinnow also cautioned the city to list plants under their proper Latin names if the bylaw does go through, to ensure that plants that are sometimes categorized under their common names aren't included — like ivy.
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia's Al-Baha Prepares for Cultural Events
Al-Baha Region is gearing up for an exceptional summer season under the slogan 'Color Your Summer,' featuring over 500 diverse events across 80 fully equipped venues in five Saudi governorates. The lineup includes artistic and musical performances, circus festivals, magic shows, and varied recreational and cultural activities. Mayor of Al-Baha Region Ali Al-Sawat stated that the municipality and local authorities have completed early preparations by upgrading tourist sites, enhancing infrastructure, and coordinating with various government and private entities. These efforts aim to deliver a vibrant and safe summer experience that meets the expectations of both residents and visitors. He noted these events play a vital role in advancing the Kingdom's goal of establishing itself as a global tourism hub, renowned for its rich diversity and unique offerings, in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030. He further underscored that Al-Baha, with its stunning natural landscapes and distinctive tourist attractions, continues to be a key attraction for domestic and international tourism.
News24
20-06-2025
- News24
Fraudulent fuel scheme busted: Bogus eThekwini employee caught refuelling private car
A man impersonating an eThekwini Municipality employee was arrested for fraudulently refuelling vehicles using City resources. The suspect allegedly admitted to earning R2 000 daily as part of a fuel theft scheme involving privately owned vehicles. The City uncovered significant financial losses as the vehicle refuelled at an amount of R78 000 daily. A man purporting to be an eThekwini Municipality employee was caught fraudulently filling diesel at one of the petrol stations used by the City's fleet. The man was arrested after a tip-off from the Municipal City Fleet Directorate, which noted that municipal vehicles were refuelling more than ten times daily. The City said the suspect, dressed in a municipal uniform, admitted he was not a municipality employee. He allegedly revealed he was hired by a private individual who paid him R2 000 daily. Forensic investigators from the City discovered that a fuel master (automated refuelling dispenser) belonging to the water and sanitation directorate had been used to fuel privately owned cars. This fuel master was linked to a City vehicle that had been stationary for a long time. 'The suspect had duplicated the number plate and branding on the side of the [stationary] car's doors to make it appear similar to other municipal vehicles,' the City said. Its director of integrity and investigations, Jimmy Ngcobo, added municipal employees were colluding with external individuals to commit fraud and corruption. 'The culprit had four vehicles fitted with 750-litre fuel tanks at the base of each single-cab van. Diesel was stored in these tanks and then resold,' he said. 'Each vehicle generated approximately R78 000 a day.' Ngcobo added the suspect made daily rounds, filling diesel at more than 15 petrol stations across the city. 'The municipality has suffered a significant financial loss, which is why we are calling on various stakeholders to report fraud and corruption whenever they witness it,' he said.
