1. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
I want to take this opportunity to thank our Directors and staff for all the hard work that they have put into the operations of the MMID to date.
Conan Cole, Piet de Klerk, and Nick Nichols joined the founding Board of Directors during the course of the year.
Unfortunately, Peter Mann (a founding director) and Nick Nichols have tendered their resignations and will not serve as Directors going forward.
I want to welcome Alda van Niekerk who joined the MMID as our projects co-ordinator.
I also I want to thank Deon Coetzee of York International for their kind donation of an air-conditioning unit for the MMID office.
This is the 1st Annual General Meeting of the Montague Gardens Marconi Beam NPC otherwise known as the Montague Gardens Marconi Beam Improvement District or simply the MMID, which was officially established on the 1st July 2017.

2. The past year can best be described as the foundation phase of the five-year plan that was approved by a majority of property owners in 2016.
We are laying the structure and foundation of the NPC for the next 3.5 years so that we can hand the baton on to future Directors to run within the ensuing years.
We have made good progress despite the time that we had to spend on the establishment of the company and the improvement district. This included the hiring of staff, establishing an office and appointing contractors.
We now have a solid board of directors and staff members who are committed to the success of the MMID.

3. Combatting crime and cleaning up the area have been major achievements
Combatting crime and cleaning up the area have been major achievements. Feedback from property and business owners has been positive and they have noticed a substantial difference in the area.
We have also made progress in maintaining and renewing the area. Notable projects are the repair of the vibracrete wall bordering Joe Slovo Park along Omuramba Road and the renewal of the corners of Koeberg Road and Montague Drive.
Unemployed and homeless people have been employed to assist with cleaning, bush clearing, and maintenance projects.

4. The Board has plans in place to commence with a number of projects in the ensuing year.
Good working relationships have been formed with various departments of the City of City Town. These include Solid Waste, Social Development, Economic Development, Law Enforcement.
There has also been positive co-operation with the Milnerton Community Policing Forum and SAPS.
The operations and the projects that all Improvement Districts undertake are broken down into six programmes. Each programme has a corresponding Director.
The day to day operations of the MMID is undertaken by the MMID staff under the leadership of our manager, Gary Bower.   

5. Commence installing CCTV cameras and equipment
Commence installing CCTV cameras and equipment. This has been a learning curve in lieu of the various types of hardware and related software on the market. With this said, we contracted the services of a security risk analyst, Willem Scholtz who put together a risk assessment which will assist us in the placement of CCTV cameras.
Improve networking between public safety stakeholders:
  o The MMID
o Neighbourhood Watches – residential neighbourhoods neighbouring Montague Gardens & Marconi Beam.
o Security companies (armed response & guarding companies)
o SAPS.
o Law Enforcement
Recycling project – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
As mentioned before, the recycling project will have a number of benefits.
It will reduce waste in general; it will improve security by structuring the way businesses interact with vagrants and bin pickers; it will empower certain homeless and unemployed people and it will reduce litter in our district.

6. Major intersections – upgrading project: This project has already started. First impressions count. People entering the area will be impressed. An example will be set for businesses to follow.
 Clean verges competition – Businesses will be encouraged to maintain their verges and keep them neat and tidy. A competition will be held and businesses that do well will receive certificates and trophies.
Not only will this uplift our properties but it has other benefits. It is important in terms of the “broken window” crime prevention strategy. Criminals and other anti-social elements feel uncomfortable in an area that they perceive to be well managed.
Where possible, unemployed or homeless people will be employed to assist with the projects.
 A garden service will be started to assist businesses to maintain verges. It is hoped that we will be able to empower unemployed or homeless people in the process.
 A business directory is in the process of being implemented to promote businesses in the area.
We are working on a factory shop directory with a map to show where the factory shops are located and what they sell.

7. Challenges:
Lack of reporting: – crime and grime
Informal trading: – The MMID is working with the department of economic development in the CoCT to compile a workable plan that will manage informal traders in a way that will benefit all stakeholders as far as possible.
The MMID will not allow more informal traders to enter the area and it will monitor the existing traders carefully to ensure that they do not impinge on the rights of property owners and businesses. We will take into account that they do provide a service in certain parts of our district. We must also be mindful of the massive unemployment problem that the country is dealing with.
Illegal dumping:
Illegal dumping is a major problem that we have been struggling to control. This is despite a number of vehicles that have been impounded when our patrollers have caught suspects in the act.
We are hopeful that the problem will be reduced when we install CCTV cameras.

8. Vagrancy & homeless people:
This is reflective of our economy and lack of employment opportunities. Although there are people that are genuinely homeless and unemployed, there are also a number of criminals and drug addicts that take part in criminal activities in the area.
Conclusion:
To make a significant impact, the MMID needs property owners and business owners to participate in our activities and initiatives.
We need your help to meet our mandate and to exceed it.
Our Area, Our Community, Our Safety, Our Shared Responsibility