By Ariana Gordon

THE internal bickering at the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has been described by Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Raphael Trotman as “democracy at work”.Minister Trotman was at the time responding to questions posed by reporters at this week’s post-Cabinet press briefing held at the Ministry of the Presidency. He was asked whether Government is concerned about the happenings at the Town Council.

He said after many years of not having Local Government Elections (LGE), some confusion is expected.

“[You will find]…today something is said, tomorrow something is done or is not done, so all of this or the way I see it is part of the Council finding itself; finding its way and its identity, and going on to do well for the City,” said Trotman.

Cabinet, he said has pronounced on the parking meter issue, but is not prepared to intervene in affairs of the City Council.

“(Government will) not intervene and instruct, and take over the process. It has to be allowed to flourish.”

He disclosed that Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams has completed a report on the legality of the parking meter contract. That report is to be presented to Cabinet next week.

“We see all of this as development of our local democracy. Like the birthing of any process, it is never going to be in textbook fashion. It is never going to be static, it is going to be in fact quite exciting, and we would, where necessary, give guidance,” the minister stated.

Asked whether he believes the Deputy Mayor of the City of Georgetown should be riding to work on a bicycle as opposed to be utilising facilities of the Council, the minister said as a former Council, the Mayor was usually the centre of attention in that it was the Mayor who benefited from privileges.

“I believe that the new era demands that the Deputy Mayor, not just for Georgetown, but all the deputies, and in fact, the Chairmen and Chairpersons of all the Councils be given special facilities,” he said.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan is expected to submit to Cabinet a proposal on across-the-board benefits and facilities that are to be made available for all Councils.