THE Mayor and Councillors of Georgetown convey warmest Christmas greetings to the citizens of Georgetown and (hope for) a New Year filled with lots of prosperity, Town Clerk Royston King has said in a message.He said the council also wants to take this opportunity to be the first to give the citizens something special to look forward to in the New Year. According to him, as part of the council’s ongoing efforts to restore Georgetown to its former ‘Garden City’ glory, efforts are in train to draft a Strategic Management Framework.

“The (M&CC) is cognisant that there is a need to increase its capacity and incorporate a more effective and dynamic approach to service provision, while engaging in public consultation to ensure the successful accomplishment of its goals,” King said in his message. “Therefore, citizens can expect better quality of services in 2016 and beyond.”

He said the creation of a ‘Strategic Management Framework’ is seen as crucial to improving the operations of the council over the coming years.

“It is the council’s ultimate objective to provide quality services to the citizenry in a manner that is sustainable and inclusive. The framework focuses on four priority areas: good corporate governance and financial management; sustainable urban development with emphasis on environmental conservation management and energy efficiency; staff capacity building and strengthening; and civil society engagement.”

King said that, in addressing these areas, the council will seek to improve its corporate governance and financial management systems; enhance tax collection systems and mechanisms; create new revenue sources and offer more services; and promote environmental conservation and energy efficiency. In addition, he said the council is seeking to provide more capacity-building opportunities for staff and councillors, and also creating conditions for public consultation in the council’s decision-making process.

“The public can look forward to the complete transformation of the city to include more recreational parks such as the one at Merriman Mall — which when completed will include play spaces, fitness areas, and health bars catering to the needs of all residents.

“Already, the council has approached and sought the support of some governmental and international donor agencies. The first phase of the strategic management framework, which addresses good corporate governance and financial management, is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2016. This is only part of the many plans to improve the council’s function in the coming year and beyond.”