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Youth Mayors Shine during Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Simpson Miller

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Every year as part of the Local Government & Community Month the Ministry facilitates a courtesy on the Most Honourable Prime Minister, by the island’s fourteen Youth Mayors. Here the young people get a chance to interact with the Prime Minister and to be treated by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry to a Luncheon arranged solely in their honour.
Prime Minister Simpson Miller who took time out to be photographed with each student, said she was very hopeful about the future of Jamaica, having listened to the Youth Mayors talk about themselves and their plans for the future. She told the youths that if they remain positive, don’t pay attention to critic but stay focus on their goals they could achieve anything.
Among the Youth Mayors were two primary school students Clinton Brown of Watford Hill Primary in Hanover and Kayla J Moss Solomon of Belmont Park Primary in Portmore.
Youth Councils are held in Local Authorities annually during the November, Local Government & Community Month and is part of a public education effort aimed at educating students about the Local Government System in Jamaica. The youth council concept began, young people/students are selected as youth councillors, representing the various parish council divisions and to make the experience more practical the youths get a feel for council operations by acting as councillors for a day. Through competitions such as debates and essay writing, each youth council selects one individual to serve as youth mayor.
Since 2001 the Youth Mayors have been invited to have a luncheon with the sitting Minister of Local Government as well as to pay a courtesy call on the Prime Minister.

Poor Relief Activities on Display for Local Government and Community Month

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In observance of November as Local Government & Community Month, the Board of Supervision (BOS), an agency of the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development, hosted an Open Day in the Ministry’s Car Park on Wednesday, November 20, 2013. The occasion was also used to launch an islandwide collection drive which the Board will be carrying out to boast their supplies for the poor.
In declaring the day open, Minister of State the Honourable Colin Fagan applauded the efforts of the BOS, which has oversight responsibility for poor relief activities, and thank the other entities who participated in the Open Day. He said that the Board and its partners lived their motto show you care, do your share everyday ‘and through this event, invite others to do the same’.
Pointing out that the success of the Board’s poor relief activities has been achieved with the input of many caring and generous individuals and organizations, Minister of State Fagan declared that the Open Day provided the opportunity for the public to learn more about, and become part of, the great work being done by the BOS. “Learn just how you can do this, by availing yourself of the wealth of information that exist on the many activities and programmes of the BOS and by extension the poor relief departments….” he implored.
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Entities that participated in the BOS’ Open Day included sister agency, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, some businesses in the area such as Tyre Warehouse, Medical Supplies Ltd, as well as, BOS care facilities such as Open Arms Drop in Centre and the Maria Atkins Night Shelter. Secretary to the BOS Mr. Barrington Parsons said he was truly appreciative of all the entities that came on board and helped to make the day a success. “The public turn out wasn’t what we had hoped, but we still managed to collect quite a number of items”, he said while encouraging other citizens to donate.
The objectives of the BOS Open Day were to increase public awareness of the many activities and programmes of the BOS and by extension the poor relief department, to increase the sustained support of the Business community in supporting the Poor Relief Service and to launch its collection drive which continues with drums and boxes being placed at the islands thirteen (13) infirmaries.
Next item on the agenda for the commemoration of Local Government & Community Month 2013 is the hosting of a luncheon for the island’s fourteen youth mayors following a courtesy call on the Most Honourable Prime Minister on Friday, November 22, 2013.

Local Government & Community Month 2013 :-Promoting a Prosperous Economy through Community Interventions

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On Sunday November 3, 2013 the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development along with the Social Development Commission (SDC), will officially launch Local Government and Community Month 2013 under the theme: A Prosperous Economy Starts with My Community.   The launch will take the form of a National Church Service which is to be held at the Portmore United Church in Bridgeport in honour of the late Mayor of Portmore, George Lee.
This is the second year that Local Government Month and Community Month are being observed as one occasion. In previous years the Social Development Commission (SDC), which was with other Ministries would celebrate Community Month at the same time that Local Government Month was being commemorated by the Ministry. With the SDC becoming an agency of the Ministry in 2012 it was apparent to all concerned that a synergy would be most fitting.
This year’s theme was deliberately selected as one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities is Local Economic Development which is currently being pursued and actively facilitated through the implementation of the Caribbean Local Economic Development Programme (CARILED). The Programme is to be implemented in 6 areas (5 parishes and 1 Municipality) through funding support provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Canada (DFATD) – formerly CIDA. The theme also embraces and promotes the role of local government in  facilitating community empowerment and self-reliance by harnessing the local resources, and accessing external resources to stimulate local commercial activities and economic growth.
Following the launch on Sunday the commemoration of Local Government and Community Month continues with major events including a Local Government & Community Awards Ceremony, Community Development Committee consultations, the hosting of the Youth Mayors by the Most Honourable Prime Minister, SDC Local Economic Development Projects in various communities, the launch of the Governance Thematic Working Group as well as Expositions including one being spearheaded the Board of Supervision Expo
Local Government & Community Month provides the opportunity to increase public awareness of Local Governance, as well as, highlight the role, function and work of the Local Authorities,  the SDC, other affiliate Agencies and partners. It will also foster community, economic and social development activities while deepening the relationship with the the people. Consequently, all fourteen Local Authorities will be implementing programmes and activities to mark the month and to highlight the economic development projects and prospects in their jurisdiction.

UN Under-Secretary General Arrives in the Island Today to attend Sixth MIAH Meeting being hosted by the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development

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Mrs. Valerie Amos, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, arrived in the island today, Thursday, October 17, 2013 to attend the Sixth Regional Meeting on International Mechanisms for Humanitarian Assistance (MIAH) for Latin American and Caribbean States. The Sixth MIAH Meeting is being held at the Jamaica Conference Centre, from October 16 to 18, 2013 under the theme “Strengthening Public and Private Partnerships, towards a common Regional Platform for Humanitarian Action”.
The Under Secretary General (USG) is here mainly to co-chair, alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade the Honourable A. J. Nicholson, a high level segment of the MIAH Meeting on day three of the conference. This segment will be limited to Ministers of Foreign Affairs from participating countries. Prior to attending the meeting the Under Secretary General (USG) will pay a courtesy call on the Minister of Local Government & Community Development and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
The Sixth MIAH is being hosted by Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Local Government / Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Minister Noel Arscott delivered the keynote address during the opening ceremony yesterday, Wednesday, October 16, 2013 to one hundred and twenty (120) participants from over twenty five (25) countries.
This is the first time that the MIAH meeting is being held in the Caribbean. Meetings were previously held in Mexico (2008), Brazil (2009), Argentina (2010), Ecuador (2011) and Panama (2012).
MIAH is the acronym for the Spanish, Mecanismos Internacionales de Assistencia Humanitaria .

Minister Arscott welcomes Regional Meeting on International Mechanisms for Humanitarian Assistance (MIAH) to Jamaica

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The Government of Jamaica, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), will host the Sixth Regional Meeting on International Mechanisms for Humanitarian Assistance (MIAH) for Latin American and Caribbean States under the theme “Strengthening Public and Private Partnerships, towards a common Regional Platform for Humanitarian Action”. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston from October 16 to 18, 2013.
This meeting aims to bring together representatives of Ministries of Foreign Affairs, civil protection and civil defence agencies with, sub-regional, regional and global humanitarian actors. Together participants will establish and strengthen coordination and response mechanisms to address humanitarian needs in responding to disasters in the region.
MIAH meetings have become an important initiative in the Latin America and the Caribbean region for dialogue among the humanitarian community and an opportunity to share experiences and good practices, as well as, strengthen alliances that are crucial during emergency response.Meetings have been held in Mexico (2008), Brazil (2009), Argentina (2010), Ecuador (2011) and Panama (2012). The Sixth Meeting of the MIAH will be of special significance as this is the first time that the meeting will be held in a Caribbean country.
The Minister of Local Government and Community Development, the Honourable Noel Arscott affirmed that the MIAH meeting provides  an excellent platform for dialogue and exchange of information new tools and initiatives towards strengthening relationships between states, regional organizations and humanitarian partners. “The Ministry of Local Government & Community Development is very pleased to be hosting the meeting and we expect Jamaica to benefit from the collective knowledge and expertise of our Latin American and Caribbean counterparts”, he added.
The Regional Meeting on International Mechanisms for Humanitarian Assistance is an initiative promoted by Latin America and Caribbean countries with the support of OCHA’s regional office, which aims to strengthen partnership and the collaborative efforts in the Regions  to promote a more integrated approach to humanitarian assistance.
International Mechanisms for Humanitarian Assistance  is the English translation of the Spanish  Mecanismos Internacionales de Assistencia Humanitaria – MIAH.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FRATERNITY DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF MAYOR GEORGE LEE

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The Ministry of Local Government & Community Development, and indeed the entire local government fraternity, is deeply saddened by the passing of His Worship, the Mayor, Mr.  George Lee.
Mr. Lee, who was serving his second stint as Mayor of Portmore, was the first elected Mayor of the 10 year old Municipality. He was first elected Mayor in 2003, and again in 2012.  He also served as councillor for Greater Portmore North Division in the St Catherine Parish Council for 4 years and 10 months from September 10, 1998.
Minister of Local Government & Community Development, the Honourable Noel Arscott says that Jamaica has lost an effective and dedicated public servant who was committed to the ideal of governance by the people.
His colleagues in the Portmore Municipal Council describe him as a strong leader, who was very serious about the work of the Council and his vision for Portmore.   In both his terms as Mayor, Mr. Lee engaged the Portmore Citizens Advisory Council (PCAC) to ensure the practice of effective citizens’ participation was reflected in the governance of the Municipality. Mayor Lee sought to ensure that there was full transparency and accountability in all policy matters of the Council, and that all citizens groups were informed and involved in the development of medium and long term strategic initiatives for Portmore.
He played a critical role in the programmes and projects of the Social Development Commission, twinning arrangements between the Municipality and  local and international development partners as well as building partnerships with public and private entities. He was also a major proponent of issues related to citizen safety and security having led the establishment of Portmore’s Parish Safety & Security Committee (PSSC) in partnership with the Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
George Lee will be remembered for his unstinting service to local government and as an indisputable champion and lead negotiator for the development of the Portmore Municipality, an advocate for the transformation of local government, good governance, and a crusader for the sustainable development of Portmore. The Citizens of Portmore in general, and the PCAC in particular, have therefore lost a key advocate for the positive transformation of their communities.
 The Ministry extends condolences to his wife, Anita and family, the staff and political directorate of the Council, citizens of Portmore, the members of the local government family and those who are affected by this loss and wishes for all God’s comfort during this time of bereavement.

Local Elected Officials Sensitized on their Role in the Local Economic Development Programme

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The Caribbean Local Economic Development (CARILED) team held a sensitization session for local elected officials at the UWI Regional Head Quarters on Thursday, September 26, 2013.The 1-day local governance symposium was aimed at introducing elected officials to the concept of Local Economic Development (LED) and to sensitize them to their roles.
The symposium represents one of several fora and workshops planned as part of the CARILED 2103 -2014 work plan. With the completion of the selection process for Local Economic Development Officers (LEDOs), placed in the six areas in which CARILED is being piloted, several start-up activities have been engaged. These included visits to the specific parishes where presentations were made to the CARILED team on their priority Local Economic Development Projects.   On the latest Mission accompanied by Canadian volunteers, priority projects previously identified are being evaluated and work has commenced in reviewing data related to Economic Profiles of the various parishes.
Speaking during the opening of the symposium Minister of Local Government & Community Development congratulated the sponsors for their foresight in designing the intervention, which he says is very timely as the Role of Elected Officials who have responsibility for the policy framework in Local Government is critical in any initiative that promotes Local Economic Development. “We cannot speak of Local Economic Development without recognizing the role of local government in coordinating local development strategies for promoting economic opportunities” he said.
CARILED is a six-year project being implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in partnership with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA) and the Caribbean Federation of Local Government Ministers (CFLGM). The project is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Development, Canada (DFATD) and is focused on stimulating sustainable local economic development (LED) in the Caribbean region. Jamaica is one of seven Caribbean countries selected to benefit from the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED).
Jamaica is one of the seven (7) Caribbean countries to benefit from CARILED project.The areas select to pilot the project in Jamaica are Kingston & St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Portmore, Clarendon, Manchester and Westmoreland.

South African Minister and eight member Delegation visits Jamaica

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Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in South Africa, Mr Lechesa Tsenoli and his eight-member Delegation arrived in the island yesterday and are expected to remain in the island until Friday September 20, 2013. The South African Minister and his Delegation are here in response to the visit to South Africa earlier this year of Minister Noel Arscott of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development in fulfilment of a commitment to strengthen ties between both countries.
In an effort to boost economic growth the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is pursuing Local Economic Development (LED) as a key initiative that will help with the issue of poverty reduction and job creation to foster economic growth and development; and South Africa is known as a pioneer in Local Economic Development (LED).
During this visit the delegation will hone in on the following areas for LED to aid in the crafting of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two (2) countries:
·         More effective exploitation of mineral spas and other outstanding local phenomena and heritage.
·         Non-traditional forms of tourism;
·         Use of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) especially the method of attracting private investors from South Africa;
·         Creation of Special Development Agencies as vehicles for promoting and facilitating LED projects;
·         Policy Development and training of LED officials.
The delegation will aid in the fostering of greater ties between the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGAJ) through a Memorandum of Cooperation among other initiatives.
As a result of this trip by the South African delegation, the Government of Jamaica can expect assistance with shaping and implementing our own  LED policy and program.

Ministry responds to the Special Report by the Contractor General on shops built in the Spalding Market

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The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development acknowledges the report of the Office of the Contractor General in regards to the Special Statutory Investigation – concerning the building of shops at the Spalding Market. The Ministry, however, had conducted its own investigations and a report was completed in June 2013. The Ministry took the informed decision to delay the publication of its findings, so as to not, in any way, interfere with the investigations of the Contractor General. Though thorough in its investigations, the Ministry did not have access to some files as these were already requisitioned by and in the custody of the Contractor General. We duly want to note the areas of overlap between our own recommendations and those of the Contractor General.
These include:
1.      The Ministry’s investigation unearthed breaches and critical issues relating to governance, financial management and accountability. In this regard the recommendation is for all members of Council to be more vigilant, proactive and rigorous in their approach and attitude towards Council business.
2.      The employment of internal control measures to ensure full compliance with the guidelines and laws which currently exist in keeping with the Contractor General’s recommendation for the development of an accountability framework.
3.      Rigorous monitoring and inspections with the emphasis on increasing the frequency and intensity of special audits in the Local authority. Specifically, the Ministry has recommended a forensic audit of the Clarendon Parish Council while the Contractor General has referred the matter to the Auditor General to conduct a review of the operations of the Clarendon Parish Council.
4.      A more coordinated approach and plan in implementing projects which involve other agencies, programs and stakeholders including the citizens and Members of Parliament. Implicit in this would be recognition of the separation of the role of Council and the Member of Parliament.
5.      Observation of dereliction of duty on the part of officers of the Council.
Since completing the report, the Ministry has taken the following actions in an effort to efficiently implement the recommendations contained therein:
1.      The Ministry’s internal Audit Unit is currently undertaking a special audit in the Clarendon Parish Council.
2.      The matter has been referred to the Financial Investigations Division for a forensic audit to be conducted.
3.      We have taken steps to establish an audit network to review accounting and audit practices, and make recommendations to the Local Authorities.
4.      Identification and prioritization of accounting, audit and specialized technical services as shared services for implementation in the Local Authorities as is proposed in the policy governing the Strategic Laws.
5.      The report has also been formally referred to the Office of the Contractor General, the Parish Councils Services Commission, the Auditor General’s Department and the Attorney General’s Chambers.
The Ministry also takes note of the Office of the Contractor General’s additional recommendations and is working to implement such:
·         Recommendation for an accountability framework;
·         Disciplinary action against officers of the Clarendon Parish Council;
·         Recovery of the cost of electricity;
·         Review by the Auditor General of Financial Operations, Accounting Systems and practices of the Clarendon Parish Council.
With respect to the Referrals to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions we await the outcome.

Proper Building Practises key to more Disaster Resilient Society- Hon Noel Arscott

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Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of hurricane Gilbert, the Honourable
Noel Arscott Minister of Local Government & Community Development said proper building practises as well as heeding warnings are essential in mitigating hurricane damage.
 Recounting the devastating impact of Hurricane Gilbert on September 12, 1988, Minister Arscott said that while a combination of factors contributed to the extent of the damage suffered across the island, poor construction practises was a major cause. He cited the practise of building in unsafe areas, poorly constructed roofs and failure to get the required building approvals as issues of concern. “We have to ensure the structural integrity of our buildings”, he said charging Parish Councils to ramp up their efforts to get persons to adhere to the rules and regulations set out in the Building
Act.
Addressing the importance of disaster mitigation to economic prosperity the Local Government
Minister pointed to the work being done by the Ministry to strengthen this area. He said that the
amendments being made to the Building Act are now with the Chief Parliamentary Council and it is hoped that the Bill will be passed by March 2014. He also spoke to the Disaster Risk
Management Bill that is being pursued by the Ministry.
Hurricane Gilbert was the first hurricane to hit Jamaica directly since hurricane Charlie in 1951.