THE onus is on sporting and other clubs in the City to respond to information requests from the municipality so that their lease terms and rentals can be determined.
The City is in the process of obtaining information on the status of each club that has in the past qualified for nominal rental categories.
This has led to concerns on the part of the various bodies that they would be ‘forced out of existence’ should their rentals be dramatically increased.
Responding to a letter from the Ward 2 committee asking for clarity on the status of club leases, Deputy Municipal Manager: City Development, Nontsundu Ndonga, said the ball is in the courts of the clubs.
Club property valuations are being re-looked and all clubs have been requested to supply audited financial statements as well as their respective constitutions.
The exercise is in line with Council Resolution 8757, which states, ‘Council impose a requirement in respect of submission of Annual Audited Financial Statements to all organisations/individuals who qualify or have qualified in the past for the following nominal rental categories: Social leases; Registered long-term leases aimed at benefitting the community; and Sports Clubs’.
Once that is received, Ndonga said the City was open to hear presentations from clubs.
This is especially pertinent to clubs whose leases are due for renewal.
The matter has become an aggravated issue due, among others, to some clubs using their rent-subsidised premises for commercial profit activities.
Freeing of land with prime waterfront access is also being investigated.
