FINALLY the Minister of Local Government, Mr. Ganga Persaud has recognised that a more coherent and integrated approach is needed to overcome the problems and constraints faced by taxpayers within the township and replaced the Anna Regina Town Council with an Interim Management Committee (IMC).
Effective local governance involves the integration and coordination of all

frameworks in a highly organised, coordinated and consistent and compatible manner.
Previous mayors and councillors’ initiatives have tended to overlook the importance of those processes and 28:01. And I hope the new IMC would examine the big picture of local governance in a comprehensive, yet flexible coordinated and integrated manner with taxpayers.
The new IMC has a major responsibility of guiding and overseeing the entire process in developing a good township agenda. It must ensure that the taxpayers are reflected in the needs and aspirations of the wider township. That it is realistic and supported by the staff, and above all, that it can be effectively implemented.
The recent swirl of opinions in the media highlights the facts that the council was operating with three councillors for the past eight years.
Members of the wider multi-sector township community are important stakeholders in the governance of their affairs, consultations with, and involvement of this community are considered key elements-for a number of reasons, including wide ownership of the township, support and sustainability.
It is now widely accepted that knowledge of community life -its issues, needs and resources is more likely to be found among its members who live and work within the township. Community members tend to have much of the necessary information and expertise in knowing what works, what does not and in identifying real needs and priorities. They make daily use of service and programmes, relate to each other across multiple differences, and are often the early warning systems for impending problems within the township.
Working in partnership, in collaboration or in consultation was a challenge for the last set of councillors and mayor. While a small number of people have little or no problem engaging their communities or stakeholders, others hold back for several reasons.
First there is a lack of awareness, understanding and appreciation of the enormous potential within the wider community. Secondly, there is often cynicism on the part of decision -makers in partnering with the community members and/or mistrust among community members in getting involved. Many tend to view the political arena in rather negative terms. Thirdly; there is also real fear on how to do this. Many councilors and the Mayor fear doing things differently, preferring to continue with age old ways.