A SEVEN-MEMBER committee has been established to assist with the handing over of the Sophia community to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

This move follows a request by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) for a formal handing-over date.

But at the City Council’s statutory meeting on Monday, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Councillor Oscar Clarke accused the CH&PA of attempting to rush the matter, and cautioned that there are a number of implications that must be considered.
Clarke said the matter should first be considered internally before a date is fixed, and suggested that the sub-committee be formed.

The members are Councillors Akeem Peter, Clayton Hinds, Dion Younge, Param Persaud, Alfred Mentore, Eketa Edwards and Patricia Chase-Green. Councillor Peter was appointed chairman of the committee, with Councillor Edward as vice-chairman.

The CH&PA had indicated its desire to hand over Constituencies Five and Six (Cummings Lodge to Sophia) to the M&CC before the end of 2018; but officers at the council had expressed concern over such an announcement due to the cash-strapped state of the City Council.

Former Mayor Chase-Green had noted that there are many homes in those areas that do not pay taxes to the council. “But when they are handed over, it is now our responsibility to provide garbage collection, street lights, roads, water,” she said, adding: “Whatever it is that council has that core responsibility for, we will have to provide. How do we get more money for the expenses?”

Currently, the Sophia area is not benefitting from any of the services provided by the M&CC; hence, for years, basic amenities such as water and electricity could not be extended to residents of North Pattensen, North Sophia, and Block ‘R’ Extension, among other communities.

The CH&PA had ideally wanted to hand over the communities on December 17, 2017, but was unsuccessful in its attempt to do so.