AMONG concerns raised yesterday at a meeting with Local Government Minister, Ganga Persaud and Georgetown Mayor, Hamilton Green was the number of persons on the council’s payroll not meaningfully engaged. Persaud invited Green to a meeting at the ministry, Fort Street, Kingston, and told reporters afterwards that the discussions centred on greater collaboration between the two entities, with a view to enhancing the work of the municipality to bring greater comfort to the lives of Georgetown citizens.
The meeting was also attended by Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Minister Norman Whittaker, Permanent Secretary, Collin Croal, and Councillor Patricia Chase-Green, who is carrying out the functions of the Deputy Mayor.
The issues discussed included prudent financial management, finding a replacement for former Deputy Mayor, Robert Williams, budget preparations and difficulties, meeting with staff of the municipality in the absence of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and disciplinary actions against certain officers.
The ministry expressed concern over the collection of rates and taxes and urged that the City Council look at innovative ways of increasing its present rates collection. Issues of investigation at the level of the council and the involvement of the Auditor General were also on the table.
The issue of council matters appearing in the media without any notification being sent to the ministry was also raised at the meeting.
Meanwhile, speaking with reporters after the meeting at the ministry, Mayor Green said the minister conveyed the impression that he is prepared to deal with issues affecting the municipality.
Green was happy to have discussed matters such as the broadening the council’s revenue base, disciplining officers, and the functioning of officers.
He said he was very critical of the minister to have engaged the treasurer, the town clerk and the engineer and noted that Minister Persaud expressed some regret for that “inappropriate behaviour”.
Green said he welcomed the meeting and is prepared to work with the minister.