Dear HSRA Property Owner,

During the past year HPP onboarded several neighbourhood camera projects (NCPs) and expanded its own network. Examples of NCPs include Fernkloof and Voëlklip. Projects-in-progress include Eastcliff, Westcliff and Northcliff. These projects are funded by property owners within the suburbs and contribute significantly to HPP’s monitoring capability.

However, rapid growth brings its own challenges as systems, processes and protocols must be reviewed or designed to keep pace with emerging good practice and a developing regulatory framework. In addition, we must consider the physical expansion of our Control Centre.

In our July newsletter we referred to the Overstrand Municipality’s proposed CCTV policy, which will guide surveillance practices on municipal property and in public spaces. This is an example of how new policies and frameworks will impact HPP into the future.

No doubt, HPP will keep you posted as changes arise.

Planning Meeting

The Board convened on 5 August to consider the restructuring of the Board as well as the budget and implementation plan for the 2023|2024 financial year. This budget and plan must be approved by the OM and thereafter by HPP-members at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September.

EO’s Expanded Role

Against the backdrop of HPP’s rapid growth during the past year, the Board decided to expand the role of Marcia Bown, our Executive Officer (EO). The Executive Officer role was a mandatory appointment in terms of the finance agreement between HPP and the OM.

With effect 1 August 2022 Marcia took on additional responsibilities. In her expanded role Marcia will report to the Chairperson, manage day-to-day operations, working closely with service providers, while retaining her oversight role, and providing comprehensive support to the Board. Importantly, she will oversee all matters pertaining to the HPP IP Camera Network (ICN). Risk management will be central to her expanded role.

This will enable the Directors to perform an increased strategic and oversight role in respect of HPP’s operational activities.

Marcia is an accomplished Project Manager who worked on large international projects. She holds a BSc Hons in Environmental Management; she has been involved with the establishment of the HSRA (Hermanus Special Rating Area) since 2019 and HPP since 2020.

HSRA Quarterly Review Meeting

A sub-committee of the Board met with the OM’s CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and her team on Thursday, 25 August 2022.

These quarterly review meetings are important catch-up opportunities that allow for a conversation about HPP’s performance in relation to the finance agreement.

This time round we introduced new Board members and discussed the budget and implementation plan for the 2023 | 2024 financial year.

CBD Matters

In cooperation with the Hermanus Business Chamber (HBC) and Whale Coast Business Forum (WCBCF), the HPP met with the key stakeholders to discuss safety in the Hermanus CBD. It was a productive meeting where it was agreed that a CBD Task Team would be formed to address safety, parking and cleansing. The objective is that this team will work in collaboration with the relevant officers at Overstrand Municipality.

HPP has committed to increase night patrollers in the CBD.  Further strategic cameras in the CBD will also be integrated into the HPP monitoring system in the coming months.

Reminder – Annual General Meeting

You are reminded of the AGM, which will be held via a virtual platform on Tuesday, 13 September 2022 (from 3 – 5pm). Please email info@hpp.org.za should you wish to register your attendance. Members must please complete and submit proxy forms if they are unable to attend. Visit the HPP webpage for further information.

Time To Say Goodbye

Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman, Katherine Jenkins and others gave their renditions of this song over the years. The song has relevance as it is time for me to hand the baton to a new leader, who will take HPP to the next level.

The HPP of today is different from the HPP of yesterday. The HPP of tomorrow will be different from the HPP of today. Continuous change is our reality.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Board-members (past and present) who have made HPP what it is. I would be remiss if I did not thank our service providers for their support, and without whom HPP would not be able to deliver services. And most importantly, I must thank you – the property owners who make it possible to fund HPP-operations.

My hope is that you will continue to support HPP in the manner you have. Your constructive and ongoing feedback enables the Board to tailor its role and contribution to the needs of our community.

This was my last newsletter. Jerry van Niekerk, who will be stepping into the Chairperson role, will in future fill you in on HPP-matters.

Take care!

Errol van Staden

HPP Chair (until 13 September 2022)