Analysing the effectiveness of services rendered by the Cachet Park City Improvement District

Abstract

The Cachet Park City Improvement District renders services to the demarcated area in Potchefstroom after the local council failed to do so. These services include above the ground services that are funded by the stakeholders of the demarcated area. The contribution model is calculated on the property owner’s municipal value, divided by the value of all the properties in the demarcated area. The question posed in the study was: “What are the perceptions of service users in Cachet Park regarding the services of the City Improvement District?” A qualitative research approach was used by making use of grounded theory and an interpretive descriptive design. The Hatfield CID model was identified by the Cachet Park CID as a perfect model, with similar stakeholder demographics regarding educational organisations. The Hatfield CID model was included in the study to use as a starting point as limited research is available on CIDs in South Africa. Some 28 semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders that include owners of properties, owners of businesses, service providers and the community. Data analysis that was done resulted in the identification of two themes: successful CID and CID operations, each with categories and sub-categories. The study concluded that the perception of stakeholders is that the Cachet Park CID render effective services in all areas but beautification. The main reason being that the uptake of membership proves to be a problem and thus leading to the funding model that needs to be adapted. The stakeholders notice the change that the Cachet Park CID have brought about and experience the security services and cleaning services as a necessity to change the demarcated area into a thriving community.