adminMidlands Correspondent
GWERU City Council has resolved to convert the mayoral mansion into a lodge in a move meant to generate income for the cash-strapped local authority.
The mayoral mansion has been vacant since 2008 when the city’s last executive mayor, Sesil Zvidzai’s term of office expired.Chairperson of the Health and Housing committee, Councillor Ernest Gudhuza who moved the motion during a full council meeting said instead of the mansion lying idle council could generate revenue by turning it into a lodge.
“What we’re saying is that we shouldn’t leave the mayoral mansion lying idle but we should ensure that it generates revenue for council. However, we shouldn’t lease it but use it as a lodge where we can house council guests and reduce expenditure.
“The lodge can also be used to generate revenue for council through accommodation bookings and other functions,” he said.
Chairperson of the finance committee, Clr Albert Chirau said a borehole needed to be drilled as a matter of urgency at the mansion to ensure constant supply of water if it is going to be turned into a lodge.
In 2004 council put on hold a proposal to sell off the mayoral mansion after the then councillors realised it was a necessary asset that could be used as security when borrowing money from banks.
Meanwhile, Clr Chirau says the continued implementation of an unapproved budget is now affecting council operations.
“The continuation of council running an unapproved budget means that council is already on the deficit in terms of its 2015 budget. If you remember very well last year the budget was admitted on the 10th of January.
“Already we’re going towards the end of February and moving towards March before the budget is adopted. I want to find out from you Town Clerk the impediments and challenges which are being faced to have the budget approved,” he said.
In his response Town Clerk Daniel Matawu said the government had told them to rationalise their operations so that 70 percent of the revenue is chanelled to service delivery with 30 percent going to salaries before the budget could be approved. He said council would know before the end of the week whether the budget would have been approved or not.
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