Below are notes from the BRA Board Meeting of 28 October 2020.

Membership

• Increased visibility of BRA activities has had a positive impact on membership, although still low.
• Agreed that after December only paying BRA members may participate on the Crime Alert Telegram group.  Non-members will be removed from the group. Process will be sensitive to affordability, to residents who contribute in other ways (e.g. Guardians).

Service Delivery 

• Continuing to push CoJ and councilor to deliver services.
• Attempts to contact owner of the steel donations bin on the pavement outside the Spar unsuccessful. Will investigate having it removed.
• Reported on cutting grass verges and cleaning up the river and bridge areas.
• Provided update on potholes programme.

Security Review

• Discussed and will prepare and cost a proposal for a full time roving BRA security person to support the Guardians.
• Approved purchase of Guardians radios and additional miscellaneous equipment. Cost to be shared with Kelvin RA. The ringfenced Security Fund will be used for the purchase.
• Subject to cost the Board agreed to consider cuting back the trees outside the Spar area to improve security.
• To investigate additional security measure in the river area between the Spar and bridge.
• Acknowledged Balwin for sponsoring rocks for the area outside the bottle store. They have been a great success in removing loiterers.

Helicopter portfolio

• Currently preparing documentation and affidavits to support our complaint to SACAA.
• The initiative to engage Parliament for assistance is ongoing.
• To meet with an advocate to determine our legal options and the way forward. Will try to get pro bono advice but if not then the Board approved R4000 commitment to pay for the consultation. Outcome of the consultation will guide next steps.
• Agreed to approach the Mias for a meeting to request help with the helicopter problem.

River portfolio

• Reported on the work by Team BRA cleaning the low bridge.
• Agreed to initiate a programme to remove invasive reeds to protect the riverine environment, improve security and address the fire risk. Spraying needs to be done at the change of season so this item will be revisited in time for an Autumn offensive.
• Agreed to obtain lab tests of the river water quality. The results will guide next steps, which may include a regular testing regime.

Social portfolio

• No social activities due to Covid.

Development portfolio

• No new developments with Frankenwald.