Minutes of LIFCO’s Annual General Meeting 2022

MINUTES OF

LIFCO’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

HELD AT THE LAKES, HORSESHOE STREET

ON SATURDAY 14 MAY 2022, AT 10:30

1.         WELCOME

Claire Fauchet welcomed all the residents that were present for today’s LIFCO AGM with a special welcome to our Ward 85 Councillor Zonè Hughes and her husband. 

Notice of the AGM was advertised through WhatsApp group messages, black boards on Cascades Road together with a notice on the official website.

54 Residents had signed the Attendance Register.  Attendees were advised that the documents discussed in the AGM, namely the Constitution, Financials and AGM Presentation, could be accessed on the LIFCO website.

2.         APOLOGIES

Apologies from Leon and Trudie Bezuidenhout from Marycole and Avril from Montrose were noted. 

3.         FINANCIAL REPORT

Justin Meyer gave a verbal report back on the financial status of LIFCO.  The finances are overseen by himself, Natalie, Shirley and Alta.  He and his family moved into Little Falls just over a year ago and when he realized the good that LIFCO does for the community he volunteered his services to assist with the finances. 

The full report of the financials ending 28 February 2022 are here if anyone wants to come and go through them.  These will be made available on the website.  During the year R250,000 was collected and these funds are used on 3 key areas - Marketing, Security and landscaping of areas like this park.  He emphasized that unfortunately it is a minority of residents that are contributing to LIFCO.  Less than 100 contributing households when there are about 3,000 households in the suburb.  If everyone present could speak to their neighbours and get them to contribute as well then LIFCO could do so much more. Just imagine if every household contributed R50 a month then LIFCO would get R150,000 every month.  Think what LIFCO could do with that money.  LIFCO is your own local government and running better than you currently experience government.  LIFCO is transparent and you are welcome to contact him directly and he will share with you any information you require.

4.         SECURITY

Jenny Naidoo gave a verbal report back on the efforts that LIFCO is putting in to improve the security in Strubbensvalley and Little Falls.  The Street Marshall initiative has not really got off the ground.  The Security Committee meets every month with all the Security Companies and SAPS to discuss problems in the area.  It is important that all incidents are reported to SAPS as if they are not aware of what is happening they will not allocate resources to the area.  Also if you see something suspicious then it is important to report it to your security company.  They are in the area and will investigate.  Safety starts with us and we must keep the criminals at bay.  Get to know your neighbour and join your street WhatsApp group.

5.         CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Hennie Schreuder gave a verbal report back as his whole report is on the website and many of his points had been raised by the earlier speakers.  As one of the longest residing residents in the area he shared some interesting history with the meeting.  He informed the meeting that he is standing down as the Chairman and that nominations will be called for over the next few weeks to find someone who is willing to take over the position of Chairperson.

He asked that if there is anyone in the community that believes or feels that they can assist with the running of LIFCO, which is our Residents Association, they must please not hesitate to contact one of the current members.  There are a number of portfolio’s that LIFCO would like to get going but due to lack of manpower are just not able to get off the ground. 

There are a number of residents that whilst not active on the LIFCO committee are doing their bit for the suburb, eg. Bronwen Tuck who looks after the Island at the Cascades entrance is a shining example of a resident who see a need and just does.  Our thanks go to her for her contribution.  There is a dam group that have put in many hours to get the dam neat and tidy, Reg heads this group with the support of Shaun and Sheldon.  Thank you for all that you and your group are doing.  A special word of thanks must go the Marlene who goes out of her way to assist us in either making banner frames, finding sponsors for our lucky draw.  She is always willing to help where she can.  All our residents are invited to come and join one of the groups and be part of the Little Falls family.

The cameras in the area were discussed and the meeting were advised that going forward LIFCO doesn’t own any of the cameras as the different security companies now own them.  ADT has installed LPR (license plate recognition) camera’s, BCI – overview camera’s that check movement in and out of the suburb.  Footage can be obtained from the different service provider but the person will need to have a SAPS reference number before footage will be given out.  For folk that want to know where the different cameras are located within the suburb - a diagram is included in the chairman’s report which is available on the LIFCO website.  Hennie emphasized that armed response is re-active we need to be pro-active in not giving criminals an opportunity. 

Currently there is a drive to fence off the greenbelt along Witwatersrand.  5 panels of palisade have been erected.  These have been sponsored by BCI, Silver Tree and LIFCO.  The sponsors will have a board on their palisade so that residents can see who is involved and if they’re a business they get some advertising.  We need a total of 60 palisades which cost R1,250 with the down poles and installation as we need to not only close off on Witwatersrand but on Howick and Mirela as well where it is open.  Boxman has pledged to pay for 1 panel.  If there are any other residents that are willing to contribute to this initiative please complete the pledge form available or pay your money into the LIFCO account marked – Greenbelt palisade.  It is important that we secure the greenbelt and keep vagrants out of the area.

Willi Badenhorst has agreed to take over the LIFCO website.  He will redesign it so that residents will be able to find service providers immediately.  It will be a fountain of information of what is available in our community.  Thank you, Willi this is a big task and you have already put together a lot of information.  It is much appreciated.

6.         PROJECTS

Reg Mazibuko, spoke to the group about the work that the project team is doing in rehabilitating the dam back to the condition it was prior to the dam wall wash away 2 years ago.  We can’t thank Renico enough for their generosity and assistance in moving in soil and compacting the ground to replace the dam wall.  The measures that the team have put in place are of a temporary nature until such time as we can raise sufficient funds to build a permanent solution.  Todate we have raised R40,000 towards the dam wall.  This money is in the LIFCO bank account earmarked for this project. 

There is a group of residents that meet every Saturday morning for 2 hours to take out the reeds that are threatening to take over the dam as well as cleaning invasive plants from the river upstream.  It is a good opportunity to get to know fellow residents – so if you want to get involved come down and be part of the group. 

The vision is to get the whole greenbelt into a park like condition with bicycle track, running tracks, a trim fit area with areas where dogs can run off the leash but be on the leash in the park area.  This is a City Parks park and as such all City Parks By-laws apply.  As LIFCO has adopted the park they have installed the camera at the gate which streams to BCI making this a safe area for residents to use the park.

7.         GENERAL

Stephen Stranack asked if LIFCO knew what was happening about the open stand on New Chum/Montrose as he notices a number of vagrants entering the suburb from there.  Hennie said that he had heard that said stand has been sold so hopefully will soon be developed thus addressing this problem.

Reiss Joseph mentioned that when walking his dogs in the evening he notices that there are a number of street lights out.  Hennie agreed that this is a security hazard and suggested that a list should be drawn up so that a full list be given to council instead of individual lights.  LIFCO would submit such list to the necessary authorities.

8.         CLOSING

There being nothing further to discuss the meeting was closed at 11:45 with the children present being invited to go and find the gold coins dropped by the pirates as they fled the greenbelt area earlier this morning.