UNLIKE the country’s other five municipalities, the Georgetown City Council has not yet managed to present its budget to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and minister with that portfolio, Ganga Persaud, is hoping that the council will “surprise” him this year and get its act together. Minister Persaud yesterday spoke at the ministry, Fort Street, Kingston, at a ceremony to sign contracts for the construction of two market tarmacs in Region 1 (Barima/Waini).
Speaking of the Council’s budget, which must be approved by the ministry before it becomes official, the minister said, “I would deem it unfortunate that the city council would seek to go out there and to mislead people by presenting what they call a budget”, without it being approved by the ministry.
Also speaking on the issue was Minister within the Ministry, Norman Whittaker, who disclosed that the other five municipalities had, according to the legal requirement, presented their budget by last November 15.
“The Georgetown City Council is yet to do so. We have heard statements made and we have read of those in the press as regards their plans, but at the ministry that has responsibility for approving the budget, we have not seen or received such proposals.
“We have been on to them almost daily, every working day, and we are now being told that they are working towards getting it for January 15. So perhaps they have changed the legal requirement,” Whittaker said.
According to him, Chairman of the Implementation Committee that was established to investigate the operations of City Hall, Mr. Keith Burrowes, has again been asked to assist the council with its finances. Mr. Burrowes was appointed by former Local Government Minister Kellawan Lall.
Minister Persaud said it is his hope that the municipality will do better this year in terms of managing its resources. “We are hoping that we can be surprised that they will manage their affairs in such a manner so that they will not have to seek the kinds of bail out which they sought in 2011.”
Persaud said it is a known fact that all rates and taxes collected goes into the coffers of the municipality, and hence it is unfortunate that it cannot work and live within its budget.
“More and more I see the municipality of Georgetown reneging on its responsibility for waste collection, and seeking to intentionally delegate that responsibility to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development,” the minister said.
“And I don’t think that the ministry is interested in taking over any responsibility of the municipality. We are not prepared for that; so I trust that this year, the municipality will finally get its act together and execute its mandate,” Persaud added.
Questioned about the matter involving Town Clerk Yonnette Pluck and City Treasurer Andrew Meredith, who apparently authorized the payout of a Christmas incentive to a specific group of workers, Minister Whittaker said Pluck was asked to provide specific details in a written response.