THE Local Government Ministry has asked Town Clerk Yonnette Pluck of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to state, with written documentation, why she and City Treasurer Andrew Meredith paid a Christmas incentive to themselves and a particular group of employees. At the council’s fortnightly statutory meeting last week, Meredith disclosed that he paid the incentive to staff of the Treasury Department; and upon further inquiries by councillors, he said there were about 10 drainage and irrigation workers who did not receive salaries before Christmas.
Meredith’s disclosure was the catalyst for a heated debate in which several councillors rose to voice their displeasure at the Treasurer’s action.  Councillors even called for the dismissal or suspension of the Town Clerk and the City Treasurer.

Letters
Councillor Patricia Chase-Green subsequently wrote Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud; Junior Minister within that ministry, Norman Whittaker; and Auditor General Deodat Sharma, seeking their help in determining this matter.
In her letter, City Councillor Chase-Green said this matter has the potential to further erode the integrity of the council.
“In this case, the Town Clerk and the City Treasurer paid incentives in excess of one million dollars out of funds belonging to the Georgetown Municipality, without the express requisite authorization and permission of the full council.
“It is my understanding that the Town Clerk, City Treasurer and the Budget Manager received substantial sums. No one knows for sure how much individual staff members were paid, because councillors were not accorded the opportunity to see a list or spreadsheet of how the money was awarded to the staff. Also, the Treasurer did not inform the council on the formula used to calculate the incentive, or how the categories of workers were identified for the payout.
“But that act of indiscretion by the seniors fits into a worrying pattern that has developed over time at this council, where senior officers, the Town Clerk, the City Treasurer and the City Engineer, in particular, believe that they can do whatever they wish without any concern about the council.
“Again, we have been receiving frequent reports from concerned citizens about unauthorized building works in the city. As a result, we have been consistently requesting plans and drawings of several buildings currently constructed in the city. To date, these have not been forthcoming, yet we continue to receive reports of buildings being constructed without permission in different sections of the city.
“One easily gets the impression that the officers involved do not understand that an obligation has been placed on them to perform certain  tasks, functions and assignments, and that they have reporting responsibilities to the council.
“Having failed to convince the officers to act responsibly, and understanding the seriousness of the crisis we face at council, I respectfully implore you, Honourable Minister, to put an end to this level of maladministration at the Georgetown City Council.
“Having regard to the negative impact these financial and other improprieties have on the credibility and image of this municipality, I am asking the Auditor General to conduct an audit of the council’s financial records,” Chase-Green said in her letter.

Ministry’s response
Speaking with this newspaper by telephone yesterday, Minister Whittaker said the Local Government Ministry is concerned about the situation at the council, and intends to find out how much money was paid out, to whom, and by what authority.      
Moreover, the ministry requires explanation as to how a particular set of workers was paid the incentive while others were excluded.
“What is needed is a broad inquiry that deals not only with a single issue, but with systems and procedures,” the minister said.
The minister assured that the matter was discussed with senior government functionaries, and that steps are being taken to have it investigated.