Online ReporterThe Rhodesia Herald
27 February 1970
SALISBURY City Council yesterday approved a resolution which may lead to a re-examination of the Services Levy Act by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. The Council approved a Finance Committee resolution that there is need to retain the Act to subsidise the proposed rent rationalisation scheme and transport services.
The resolution adds that the scope of the Act should be widened to enable the Minister to authorise the making of Interest-bearing advances from levy funds. This money could be used to acquire land, build African housing, and provide essential services.
Moving the resolution at the end of the debate the chairman of the Finance Committee. Clr Bernard Ponter, MP, replied to claim that the levy should be abolished.
“While I have advocated long term phasing out of the levy, I realise this involves a deep study of the overall fiscal mechanisms of the Municipality,” he said
The acquisition of land and building of African housing must be financed from some source. “It is most Important that the Minister be made fully aware of how the levy must be extended if it is to be a major source of the Council’s African housing finance.
