SRA Timeline

Municipal review and final approval process

Posted on by CAN Team

Goal: Obtain final municipal approval before the November deadline, ensuring the Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) is legally recognised and included in the upcoming municipal budget.

Municipal review process

Once the UIP application is submitted in early November, the municipality’s Special Rating Area (SRA) Unit will begin a formal review process. This step involves municipal officials thoroughly assessing the application to ensure compliance with municipal policies, financial requirements, and community support thresholds.

Key steps in the review process:

  • Verification of documentation: Municipal officials will check that all required documents are included and correctly formatted.
  • Community engagement validation: Officials may conduct an independent verification of community support.
  • Financial and legal review: The municipality’s finance department will assess the proposed levy structure, budget allocations, and governance framework to ensure feasibility and sustainability.
  • Urban management review: Departments responsible for public safety, cleaning, and infrastructure will review the proposed UIP services to determine alignment with municipal service delivery.

During this period, the Steering Committee must remain responsive and proactive, as the municipality may request:

  • Clarifications on the budget, such as a breakdown of security costs and cleaning contracts.
  • Minor amendments to the business plan, including governance structure adjustments or service implementation plans.
  • Additional proof of community engagement, such as letters of support from local businesses, ward committees, or community organizations.

To avoid delays, the Steering Committee will:

  • Assign a dedicated municipal liaison to communicate with officials and track the review process.
  • Respond promptly to any queries or requests.
  • Hold follow-up meetings with municipal representatives to clarify concerns and strengthen the case for approval.

Council Considers and Approves the UIP

With the municipal review process completed, the UIP application will be submitted to the municipal council for final approval. This involves:

  • Presentation to the council’s finance and urban development committees:
    • The application is reviewed in committee meetings, where officials present findings and recommendations.
    • The Steering Committee may be invited to provide a final justification for the UIP, addressing any remaining concerns.
  • Full council review & approval:
    • The UIP proposal is tabled for discussion and voting by the full council.
    • If approved, the UIP is officially recognized, and the additional levy is adopted into the municipal rates framework.
  • Inclusion in the 2026/27 Financial Year Budget:
    • Upon council approval, the UIP levy is formally integrated into the municipal budget.
    • The municipality ensures that collected funds will be allocated directly to the UIP’s designated account, managed by the Non-Profit Company (NPC) established by the Steering Committee.

Final Steps after approval:

  • Public notification: The municipality will issue a formal notice confirming the UIP’s establishment, notifying all property owners.
  • Legal and administrative setup: The UIP Steering Committee will finalize the Non-Profit Company (NPC) registration, appoint a board of directors, and establish financial controls.
  • Operational planning: Service providers, including security, cleaning, and urban maintenance, will be selected and contracted for implementation in July the following year.
CAN Team