Diana Nherera
NORTON Town Council has identified water reliability, refuse collection, public lighting, project completion and improved revenue collection as key priorities for 2027, as it seeks to improve service delivery across the town.
The priorities emerged during the local authority’s 2027 pre-strategic review meeting held on Thursday last week, which focused on assessing the implementation of the 2026 strategic plan and receiving stakeholder submissions for the 2027 plan.
The Norton 2027 Pre-Strategic Stakeholder Report noted that council has strengthened its operational fleet and continued with road, water, sanitation and public-facility works.
“The immediate task is to convert these investments into more consistent services across all suburbs,” read the report.
Council has procured several pieces of equipment to support its operations, including a backhoe loader costing US$55 000, a honeysucker, a tipper truck, a refuse compactor valued at US$114 000 and skip bins costing US$1 600.
“Additional skip bins and acquired machinery are intended to support improved collection and maintenance schedules,” reads the report.
The report indicated that refuse collection coverage was at 85 percent, against a target of 90 percent.
“Council has committed to weekly household collection and daily commercial collection,” it said.
On road maintenance, council reported performance of 69 percent against a target of 60 percent, supported by rehabilitation works and the use of road maintenance machinery.
Reported projects include about 0,5 kilometres of roadworks near St Eric High School, costing US$32 111,76, and waterline rehabilitation valued at US$6 346,67.
Rehabilitation of the second sewer treatment plant is underway, while Knowe Secondary School has reached slab level and renovations at the fire station are progressing.
Council is also procuring 634 streetlights and six tower lights as part of efforts to improve public lighting.
Despite the progress, the report notes that several service delivery gaps still require focused action and realistic resource allocation.
It recommends that the 2027–2030 strategic plan establish clear priorities, assign responsibilities and set measurable milestones for service delivery.
“Progress must be reported regularly, with community feedback informing implementation,” read the report.
“Together, council, residents and businesses can work towards a cleaner, safer and better-serviced Norton.”
