MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall, and Opposition Leader Robert Corbin yesterday held discussions with the members of the Linden Municipality and the Councillors of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in an effort to resolve ongoing issues of the Council. The meeting was as a direct result of a meeting between President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Opposition Leader, at which the issues affecting the council were adumbrated and the desire for solutions expressed.
Since the appointment of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) in lieu of Local Government Elections, the Town Council in the Mining Town has faced numerous difficulties, especially with successive changes in town clerks.
The most recent difficulties are underscored by the absence of a prepared budget by the council, coupled with the issues that seem to exist between the IMC and the current town clerk. Chairman of the IMC, Orin Gordon, had some time ago written to the minister requesting his “support” of disciplinary action to be taken against the town clerk for a number of purported infractions, and calls were even made for his removal.
Yesterday, the minister was confident at the end of discussions that they were closer to resolving some of the problems facing the council and that timelines and deadlines were set with regard to a budget.
“There are many other issues that have come up, and we are going to tackle them, some of them have to do with the relationship between the council and the administration of the council.”
The minister noted that chief among the issues was the lack of knowledge or acceptance of the respective fundamental roles of the elected body, the IMC, and the council, and pointed out that one of the benchmarks of success of the meeting was the acknowledgement of those roles.
“I think that we have, in a very large way, come to an understanding, of what are their respective roles and how they should act as one organism.”
There are also issues of transparency and work coordination, the minister said, but expressed confidence that over time these would see some resolution now that the fundamental matters have been settled.
According to the minister, the overall objective is to see that the council provides a far better service to the people of Linden.
Another meeting is scheduled for next Thursday at Minister Lall’s office, Fort Street, Kingston.(GINA)