MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Kellawan Lall is not inclined to grant City Councillors’ request and appoint current Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Royston King as the new Town Clerk. Making the disclosure yesterday, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall said: “The Minister is, practically, saying that he has not approved the request by City Hall.” 
Consequently, Ms. Yonette Pluck will continue as Acting Town Clerk.
Mayor Hamilton Green, when contacted, told the Guyana Chronicle he believes the Ministry took other factors into consideration besides those that were listed by councillors.
The matter was the subject of a heated debate among councillors at their last statutory meeting in February and Green had suggested that there be an inquiry into the character of the applicants but it was never done and he said he is not surprised at the Minister’s position. 
King said he did not wish to comment presently and is awaiting a response from the Ministry.
Councillor Llewellyn John said, in keeping with the proper democratic principle, the decision should be for who the majority of councillors voted.
He pointed out that several officers are currently performing on the job pending the Minister’s approval, among them the Director of Solid Waste Management Department and the Chief Constable.    
The posts of Town Clerk and City Treasurer were advertised both internally and externally, with several persons applying for the former and one for the latter. The four applicants, who were interviewed for the Town Clerk’s post were King, Mr. John Bishop, Mr. Ron Eastman and Ms. Carol Sooba.
The lone applicant for the City Treasurer job declined to attend a scheduled interview and Mr.  Andrew Meredith will remain functioning in that capacity.