The Kalk Bay and St James Ratepayer Association (RRA) is a voluntary body made up of thirteen people living in the area. The RRA is the body representing the community in its dealings with the City of Cape Town (CoCT). The RRA is the eyes, ears and voice of the community and helps to ensure that the CoCT is responsive to the needs of the community.
There are a number of areas where the RRA is most active including dealing with issues related to beaches and green spaces (the parks of the area) as well as the trees and fires. The RRA is also very concerned with the building of new houses and structures as well as renovations to preserve the heritage of the area. Ensuring that the environment serves the needs of the residents is one of the fundamental areas of concern. This includes acting as a watchdog to see that the roads, pavements, street lighting, water and sewerage systems all function as they should, and the public remains safe and healthy.
The RRA works in complementary fashion with the SRA (Special Rating Area), which is a statutory body raising funds via a special surtax of 5% of the rates paid by the ratepayers of the area. The SRA is an independent body that can spend its money only on its authorised budgeted items of security, infrastructure, and social need. The SRA works through paying for things to be done. The RRA works through harnessing the efforts of all the people in the area doing amazing voluntary work (e.g. beach clean-ups; donations to The Haven) and influencing the officials of the CoCT, as well as having the ear of the local Councillor, currently Izabel Sherry.
Our work is organized into several key portfolios:
- Beaches: Safeguarding and enhancing our beautiful coastal areas.
- Communications: Keeping our community informed and connected.
- Finance: Overseeing the financial health of our association.
- Green Spaces: Preserving and promoting our parks, gardens, and natural spaces.
- Heritage & Development: Protecting our historical sites and guiding sustainable development.
- Infrastructure: Ensuring the maintenance and improvement of essential public services.
