Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall has issued letters terminating the services of Town Clerk of the Georgetown Municipality, Beulah Williams and City Treasurer, Roderick Edinboro, of the same municipality.

The letters were issued on January 28 following a special investigation carried out by the Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma, in 2008, in relation to aspects of management and financial systems, on the recommendation of the Mayor.

With regard to the dismissal of Williams, a Commission of Inquiry was set up under the direction of Minister Lall to investigate irregularities identified in the AG’s report as it relates to the following areas: the Office of the Town Clerk, Office of the City Treasurer, loans to members of staff and others, advances on salaries to staff members, irregularities in rates collection, municipal bank accounts in commercial banks, and restructuring municipal departments and operations.  The Commission was headed by Mr.Keith Burrowes.

Burrowes, in his report, stated, “Cumulatively, the evidence has revealed a substantial demeaning of the integrity of the Town Clerk’s Office. Moreover, this mismanagement contributes to the on-going depreciation of the image of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) as an effective mechanism for the delivery of social goods and services to the citizenry of Georgetown.”

A pattern of insubordination, transgression of policies, rules and regulations, display of self-indulgence and sheer defiance of the Council were also cited in the report.

Steps were made to terminate the services of the Treasurer after the investigations which covered the period January 2002 to December 31, 2007, revealed inconsistencies in the records for salaries and wages, coupled with the payment of annual leave without proper approval.

The investigation carried out focused on several issues that became key aspects of concern under Edinboro’s stewardship. These included a particular case where officers were granted loans and advances without approval by the relevant authority.

Other issues cited in the report included questionable reconciliation bank statements, dysfunctional system in the collection of rates and taxes, and over-spending on consultancy and purchase of software which are not functioning properly.

Based on this investigation, the Burrowes report stated that evidence of the incompetence of the Treasurer is explicit and overwhelming.

Further, it stated that it is a reflection of the indifference and negligence, not only of the incumbent’s immediate supervisor, but also of the Finance Committee and the Council as a whole, and that such a degree of malfunctioning could have been perpetuated over an extended period of time.

The termination of both Williams and Edinboro was effective from January 31. Outstanding benefits that they are entitled to will be paid to them in full, minus whatever debts or other financial obligations are owed by them to the City Council.  (GINA)