A Community/City Improvement District (CID) is always initiated by the community itself rather than by the City. Typically, it begins with proactive individuals, known as 'champions,' who recognize the need to enhance the environment within a specific area. They take the initiative to develop a comprehensive five-year business plan that includes a motivation report, an implementation plan, and a budget, outlining the proposed improvements. This plan is then presented to the community during a public meeting.

To proceed with the establishment of a CID, the champions engage in lobbying property owners for their support. For the CID formation to proceed, a majority consent is required from the property owners, typically more than 50% for areas classified as commercial and more than 60% for areas classified as residential. This consent must be given in writing.

Once the required consent is obtained, the steering group behind the CID initiative submits an official application to the City. The application is advertised in the media, and property owners are notified, allowing them at least 60 days to provide any comments or objections. The City then considers the application, taking into account any objections, during a full sitting of the Council.

Upon approval of the application by the City, a Non-Profit Company (NPC) is established, and a board is elected to oversee the CID's operations. The NPC must register for VAT, open a bank account, and become a registered vendor with the City before receiving any payments from the City.

In summary, the CID's inception is community-driven, with a formal process involving community support, City approval, and the establishment of a Non-Profit Company to ensure transparency and accountability in managing the CID and its finances.

As per the South African Constitution (Sections 152 & 153), the primary objective of a local authority is to ensure that all its residents receive essential basic services like water, electricity, sanitation, refuse removal, and more, to a fair and equitable standard. However, for communities seeking to access municipal services at an elevated level, a CID offers them the opportunity to avail these supplementary services by paying for them. It is essential that these additional services remain affordable and sustainable for the residents.

By participating in a Community/City Improvement District (CID) and pooling their resources, individual property owners can experience numerous collective benefits. Some of these advantages include:

Well-Managed Area: Through coordinated efforts and funding, the CID can implement various improvements and maintenance initiatives, leading to a well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing environment. This may include beautification projects, landscaping, and regular upkeep of public spaces.

Communal Pride: As the CID enhances the overall appearance and functionality of the area, residents often develop a shared sense of pride and attachment to their community, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and identity.

Safety and Security: CIDs often invest in security measures such as increased patrols, surveillance systems, or community watch programs, leading to a safer living environment and reduced crime rates.

Social Responsibility: The CID promotes a culture of social responsibility among property owners, encouraging them to actively participate in community initiatives, charitable projects, and programs that benefit the less privileged.

Joint Initiatives: By working together, property owners can pool their resources to launch joint initiatives that would be otherwise challenging for individual homeowners. This includes waste recycling programs, energy-efficient projects, sustainability initiatives, and other community-driven efforts that promote environmental consciousness.

Improved Property Values: A well-maintained and attractive neighbourhood often translates into increased property values, benefiting all property owners in the CID.

Enhanced Services: Through the additional funding collected from property owners, the CID can offer services beyond the basic municipal provisions, catering to specific needs and preferences of the community.

The following categories of owners / properties will be 100% exempted as per the CID Policy:

Indigent, Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons who meet the criteria for rates relief.
Properties registered in the name of and used primarily as a place of worship.
Council owned properties used predominantly for official municipal business.
Other properties who qualify for rates relief/exemption as per the City's Rates Policy.

Yes. Once the City has approved a CID, the participation of all property owners liable to pay the CID additional rates, within the boundaries of the CID, is mandatory. However, there are exceptions in terms of relief.

A Community/City Improvement District (CID) operates under the governance of the Companies Act (71 of 2008) and holds the responsibility of managing its own finances independently. As part of its financial accountability, the CID appoints its own auditors to conduct regular audits. The audited financial statements are then included in the City's consolidated accounts, which are subject to review by the Auditor-General, ensuring transparency and proper oversight.

To ensure proper financial management and adherence to the budget, the CID submits monthly financial reports to the City. This allows the City to monitor the CID's expenditure and ensure that it aligns with the approved budget.

Furthermore, all CIDs are required to submit the Chairman's report and Audited Financial Statements (AFS) to the relevant Subcouncil within two months of their Annual General Meeting (AGM) for noting. This reporting obligation reinforces the CID's commitment to accountability and provides the City and relevant authorities with insights into the CID's financial performance and activities.

By adhering to these financial regulations and reporting procedures, CIDs demonstrate their commitment to responsible financial stewardship and maintain transparency with both the City and the community they serve.

For those who meet the criteria set by CoCT, rates relief is available.

Regardless of the establishment of a Community/City Improvement District (CID), the responsibility for ensuring security in our own homes will always rest with individual homeowners. However, when it comes to the public spaces surrounding our residences, it is vital to acknowledge the challenges related to crime levels and limited police resources. The prevailing macro outlook makes it difficult to envision a significant reduction in crime rates or a substantial increase in police support.

As a result, it becomes imperative for property owners to take a proactive stance in maintaining the appeal and desirability of Edgemead as a residential area. To achieve this, property owners must assume some responsibility and work together to implement the necessary measures for enhancing security in these shared public spaces. By doing so, they can contribute to creating a safer and more attractive community for everyone.

In essence, while homeowners retain the responsibility for their own home security, there is a collective need for property owners to address the challenges surrounding public spaces. Through collaborative efforts and shared responsibility, Edgemead can continue to thrive as a sought-after residential destination.

Maintaining cleanliness and proper upkeep deters crime. We must tackle both crime and grime. As responsible citizens, allocating part of our budget to community welfare is essential.

The committee do not get remunerated.

Non-payment will result in the City considering the entire rates account in default.

The elected NPC board will ensure service delivery as per the budget and business plan. Service providers will be selected through competitive tenders. The City of Cape Town does not appoint or allocate CID funds. The Edgemead CID budget is dedicated solely to our area, managed by the NPC board elected by the property owners.

Based on the community's input from the survey and public meeting, the steering committee will compile a list of requirements and desires. Subsequently, they will develop a business plan to attain those objectives and determine the corresponding costs.

The committee members are all concerned residents who volunteered their services and are not being remunerated. Should a CID be formalized, an NPC will be established to implement the business plan and the board of this NPC will be elected by property owners.

Every ratepayer in the area must contribute, but rate relief is available for those meeting CoCT's criteria. If you already qualify for rates relief, you will be exempt from the additional rates automatically.

The NPCs business plan will cover the full 5 year term. However, it must be reviewed each year in discussion with CoCT and may need to be revised to take into account changing needs of the community.

The CID business plan will take into account the needs of specific streets or sections of the area and where necessary budget can be allocated accordingly but only if approved as part of the overall business plan.

The committee will gather and coordinate community feedback regarding their wants and needs. Subsequently, they will develop the business plan and budget based on this valuable input.