Below are notes from the BRA Board Meeting of 20 February 2020.

Finance and Governance

• The meeting acknowledged Teesh Soudamma’s resignation as a director due to work commitments, and expressed appreciation for her contribution. CIPC, bank signatories and mandates to be updated.
• Agreed that BRA should invest accumulated Member Funds more actively in increased community activities such as security, river cleaning, verge cutting etc.
• New external accountants have been appointed to prepare the annual financials for the past year.

Membership

• Membership payments dropped off in December and overall membership remains low but steady.
• Board agreed that more activity and visibility is crucial for membership growth.
• New website functionality to register for membership or donate money to BRA has been developed by Davy. The new system is integrated with the online Membership CRM system, generates automated invoices and facilitates online payment using Payfast. The new system allows for once-off and recurring billing and payment. Board agreed to open a Payfast account to enable online payment.

Service Delivery 

• Reported that the last activities included a major cutting of grass on verges in January, and cleaning up the low level bridge after the February floods.
• Discussed the fire hazard of the reeds along the river at Bridge Road park. Agreed to investigate cost of removing/cutting back the reeds.
• Discussed the generally unkempt state of pavements on main thoroughfares and the increasing incidence of potholes throughout Buccleuch. Will engage CoJ again.
• Discussed uber and taxify drivers in the suburb, and especially parking at the corner of Muller and Gibson where the cars impede visibility. Agreed to take steps to restrict parking.
• Agreed that BRA will secure and pay temporary staff to do cleanups in the following areas when necessary:
  • Entrances to Buccleuch
  • Gibson Drive, Buccleuch Drive, Margaret Avenue (at the T-Junction with Buccleuch Drive)
  • Low level bridge area

Security Review

• Awaiting ICASA approval for a dedicated Buccleuch radio frequency for the Guardians. In the process of securing a ‘high-site’ for the radio antenna.
• Discussed continued problems with vagrants and criminality at the Spar and surrounds, and the attack that occurred in the shortcut between Muller and Caltex. Will request City Parks to cut back the trees next to bottle store to remove shade and the area between the Caltex and river. Investigate installing ‘Clearvue’-type fencing between Caltex and the bridge, and between Spar and Bridge to prevent access to the river areas. To consider installing solar powered lights to light up the Spar/Caltex/River area.
• Camera and LPR system is working well. Waseem reported some cameras have been moved to ensure better operation. 
• Agreed to arrange and fund a thankyou braai for the Guardians.

Social portfolio

Agreed to arrange another community social function.

Development portfolio

Will distribute an update to the commuity on the status with Frankenwald.