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Minister Arscott calls upon citizens to prepare for Hurricane season

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Minister of Local Government & Community Development the honour Noel Arscott is urging the public to be prepared for the approaching hurricane season.
Minister Arscott was speaking at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management’s (ODPEM) official launch of Hurricane and Disaster preparedness Months, observed in May and June respectively.  The launch took place on on May 1, 2013.
The Minister endorsed the theme adopted by the ODPEM, “Plan for Disaster in Advance, Give yourself a Fighting Chance”, pointing to the fact that weather partners around the world are constantly changing and unpredictable occurrences are becoming more frequent across the region. He urged persons to ‘give themselves a fighting chance’ by taking ODPEM’s messages seriously.
The Local Government Minister also charge other entities under his portfolio, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, and the Social Development Commission, to play there part in circulating the messages throughout the local communities.
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency management will be embarking on an intense public education campaign to educate persons about disaster preparedness.

Minister Arscott Support St James Parish Council’s backing of Mo Bay Night Out

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Regarding the matter of the St James Parish Council contributing to the staging of Montego Bay Night Out, the Honorable Noel Arscott, Minister of Local Government and Community Development is in full support of Councils taking necessary steps to facilitate local economic development in their parishes. This is an integral part of the Local Government Reform process.
The Montego Bay Night Out is a joint venture between the St. James Parish Council and the business community and is aimed at resuscitating businesses in the Gloucester Avenue area popularly referred to as the “Hip Strip”. The event involves the participation of over thirty (30) vendors including craft vendors, five to ten thousand (5,000 – 10,000) patrons including tourists who leave their hotels and spend with the locals and sponsorship from two of Jamaica’s major beverage companies. It is projected to break even. However, the additional benefits derived from the economic activities for the small business operators and the cultural benefit from the exposure of the tourists represent a good example of the Government working together with the business community to enhance local economic development.
As it relates to the accusations levied against the Montego Bay Mayor that he handed out $20,000 to each councilor for the purchasing of bun and cheese during the Easter holiday season, Mayor Harris has assured Minister Arscott that there is no truth to these accusations. He explained that each Councilor was given an allotment to conduct work in their divisions. When the work is done the superintendent of works would do the verification and make the necessary recommendation for payment after which the necessary cheques are drawn to suppliers.   Mayor Harris has also affirmed that there is no basis to the claims as the activities and payment procedures are in keeping with established practice and procedure .

Mayor Harris Not Opposed to renaming of Cornwall Regional Hospital says Min Arscott

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Minister of Local Government, Honourable Noel Arscott is this morning advising that the mayor of St. James is by no means opposed to the renaming of the Cornwall Regional Hospital.
“I have spoken to Mayor Harris and he has assured me that his intent was misunderstood” said Minister Arscott.
In June of 2010 a resolution to rename the Cornwall Regional Hospital, the Dr. Herbert Eldermire Regional Hospital was sent by the St. James Parish Council to the Minister responsible for Local Government, who then referred it to the Ministry of Health. The then Minister of Health, Mr. Rudyard Spencer approved the renaming. This decision was and still is fully supported by the St. James Parish Council. Since the resolution has been gazetted, the St. James Parish council has sought to obtain a date for the ceremony from the body with responsibility for this activity, the Western Regional Health Authority; but numerous attempts have proven futile.

“Contrary to reports in the media, Mayor Harris was not trying to block the renaming exercise” Minister Arscott added.

There is still no date set for the ceremony; however, Minister Arscott said he has the assurance of the Mayor that the St James Parish Council stands ready, as has always been the case, to give its full support in the staging of the event.

Portland Has Not Been Ignored

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The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development wishes to dismiss any misguided notion that the Ministry has paid scant regard to the parish of Portland in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Despite the current global financial crisis and the tight fiscal space in which the Government must operate, the Ministry under the leadership of the Honourable Noel Arscott has been doing its utmost to address the needs of all Local Authorities.
 The Ministry is particularly cognizant of the difficulties experienced in the eastern parishes which were hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy last October. Consequently, substantial financial input has been made to aid the Parish Councils of St Mary, St Thomas and Portland in their recovery efforts. The Ministry allocated to the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) the sum of $8M for each of those parishes to effect cleanup activities in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane. There was also intervention through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to the tune of $35M to support parish level relief operations. Additionally, a total of $40.0M was allocated to Local Authorities in December 2012 for special work programmes.
In respect of the Portland Infirmary, an estimate of $1.5m was received from the Council for rehabilitation work to be done to the infirmary and the Ministry has since made an allocation of $1.5M. That cheque, dated March 28, 2013, was picked up early last week. An allocation has been made in the 2013/14 budget for repairs to the Portland Infirmary along with three (3) others.

Local Government Recognizes Individuals and Organizations for their work with the Poor

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The Board of Supervision (BOS), a department of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, held its inaugural Awards and Recognition ceremony on Wednesday March 27, 2013 at the Cardiff Hotel in St Ann’s Bay to recognize organizations and individuals who have made significant contribution to its work with the poor in Jamaica.
Minister of Local Government & Community Development the Honourable Noel Arscott, who delivered the main address on behalf of Prime Minister the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, began by stating that the Prime Minister regretted not being able to attend the event as the care and wellbeing of the poor is near and dear to her heart.   The Minister also expressed Mrs Simpson Miller’s acknowledgement of the Board of Supervision as an organization which exemplifies one of the main pillars of effective local governance, that is, care, concern and relief of the poor.
He stated that the government was mindful of the needs of the poor and vulnerable in society and these were major considerations in the development of the national economic policy; Adding that we all have a role to play in caring for the poor.
During the ceremony some eighty individuals and organizations were recognized for their roles and were awarded for meritorious, exemplary and invaluable contribution to the work of the Board. Master of Ceremony and Chairman of the Board of the BOS, the Most Hon Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, said she was pleased to see the staging of an event of this nature as the agency cannot fulfil its mandate without the input of the numerous persons who give of themselves, their time and material to assist the poor. She expressed great hope for the continuation of selfless giving and said that the BOS would endeavour to acknowledge these acts on an annual basis.
The Board of Supervision is a statutory body which was established under the Poor Relief Act to supervise and monitor the delivery of the Poor Relief service performed by the Parish Councils and KSAC. It monitors the provision of residential, socio economic and health care for needy clients as well as the provision of shelter, care and protection for homeless people.

Ronald Jackson appointed Executive Director of CDEMA

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The Chairman of the Council of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Honorable Noel Arscott, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Ronald Hugh Jackson as Executive Director of the Agency with effect from   April 3, 2013.
Mr Jackson was the Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Jamaica, a position he held since August 2006 until March 2013.   He previously served ODPEM as Deputy Director General, Senior Director of the Preparedness and Operations Division and as Regional Coordinator for the Southern parishes. 
He has been extensively involved in disaster management at the national, regional and international level in various capacities. At the national level, he lent his expertise to the coordination of the national response to the impact of Hurricanes Charlie, Ivan (2004); Dennis and Emily (2005); Tropical Depression 16 and subsequently Tropical Storm Nicole (2010) and most recently Hurricane Sandy (2012). He has been instrumental in the development of the Guidelines for Child-Friendly Disaster Management and Response, Reinstatement of the ODPEM Dedicated Communication Network and Revision of the Emergency Welfare Plan. In 2010 Mr. Jackson received a Certificate of Commendation from the Caribbean Community for his contribution to the rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the January 2010 Haiti Earthquake.
Prior to his appointment as Executive Director, he was a member of CDEMA’s Technical Advisory Committee, President of the IDB Caribbean Policy Dialogue Forum, the co-chair for the Inter American Network for Disaster Management and represented the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Member States on the Hyogo Framework for Action Mid-Term Review Committee and Post-2015 Hyogo Framework for Action Committee.

Mr. Jackson holds a Master of Science Degree (M.Sc.) in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Resource Management from the University of the West Indies and a Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc.) in Physical Planning and Environmental Resource Development from the University of Technology.

Deputy Director General Richard Thompson takes over the reigns at the agency on Mr. Jackson’s depature.

 

Jamaica Fire Brigade to Acquire Three New Fire Trucks

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The Jamaica fire service got a boost today with the signing of a contract for the procurement of three (3) new fire trucks.

The contract signing took place at the offices of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development on, Wednesday, March 12, 2013.  Minister of Local Government & Community Development, Hon Noel Arscott and Minister of State Colin Fagan were both on hand to witness the signing between the Jamaica Fire Brigade, represented by Commissioner Laurie Williams and National Safety Limited represented by CEO Mr. Julian Templer.

Commissioner Williams said the Units, which are being acquired at a cost of US$1,355,283.00,  will be most welcomed by the Brigade as most of its fleet is over 20 years old.  Meanwhile, Minister Arscott revealed that the  planned acquistion is part of a strategy to gradually increase the brigades fleet.  He said this approach was being utilized because of financial restraints being experienced at this time.

National Safety Limited is the local agent for Rosenbauer LLC, Minnesota. Rosenbauer is the world’s leading manufacturer of fire fighting vehicles.

Minister of State Addresses the SDC’s Participatory Accountability and Responsibility Parish Forum

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Speaking during the opening ceremony for the Participatory Accountability and Responsibility (PAR) Parish Forum held earlier this month, Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government & Community Development the Honourable Colin Fagan, said that accountability and responsibility have expanded beyond ‘being called to account for one’s action’.
The State Minister said that the Community Development Committee (CDC) forum, which was organized by the Social Development Commission, underscored the fact that accountability and responsibility applies not only to our elected representatives but to civil servants, legislative bodies and community groups as well. As the primary entity, along with the Local Authorities, through which the Ministry discharges its responsibilities relating to community development, the commission is doing its part to advance one of the basic tenets of the local government reform process, that of accountability and transparency, he said.
Minister of State Fagan lauded the SDC for their continued commitment to partnering with local and national stakeholders to maximize opportunities for growth in 783 communities in which they work.   He also stated that the Forum gives stakeholders the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the Commission’s work.
On the subject of local government reform the Minister of State took the opportunity to update the audience on the progress of the legislative programme. He stated that the Ministry was awaiting final response from the Attorney General’s Chambers on the promulgation of the three strategic laws, the national building bill as well as recommendations made by the Ministry for the entrenchment of local government into the Jamaican constitution.
The Kingston and St Andrew CDC PAR conference was organized to look at the legitimization of community groups and the importance of their role in governance, as well as, to determine the readiness of community groups for local government reform. The conference examined such topics as the status of the Local Government Reform Act, the Participatory Governance Framework and Community Funding Sources.

Minister Endorses Twinning of Portmore with German City

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Members of the Portmore Municipal Council accompanied representatives from the city of Hagen located in Germany on a courtesy call on the Minister of Local Government & Community Development on Tuesday, February 28, 2013. The German contingent, which consisted of the Deputy Mayor Dr. Christian Schmidt and two engineers, briefed Minister Arscott on their plans to twin with the Portmore Municipality in order to promote best practices between both cities in relation to climate change.

Both cities had agreed to cooperate within the framework of a project entitled “50 Municipal Climate Partnerships by 2015”. This agreement resulted from a Memorandum of Understanding with Engagement Global/Service Agency Communities in one World for Partnership in Climate Change, which seeks to establish a foundation for cities to collaborate with a view to develop best practices with respect to climate change.

The Minister was told of the activities that will be undertaken by the Hagen team during their one week visit.   These activities include identifying projects with the potential for renewable energy, green houses and other best practices. Min. Arscott was thrilled that through the municipal’s initiative they are the only English speaking Local Authority that is partnering in this climate change project.
The term ‘twin’ refers to links being formed between two cities with a view to have citizens share cultural and social activities and understanding. The link between twinned cities also allows economic co-operation which is mutually beneficial.

Clarendon Parish Council encouraged maximizing revenue activities

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Minister of Local Government and Community Development Honourable Noel Arscott continued his series of Council visits with a stop in Clarendon on Thursday, February 28, 2013. The Minister was accompanied by Minister of State Hon Colin Fagan, Permanent Secretary Robert Rainford and other technical officers from the Ministry.
As usual the session began with the Ministry representatives being welcomed by the leaders of the Council. His Worship the Mayor Scean Barnswell as well as Secretary/Manager Rowan Blake said they were pleased to have the team visit to share the programmes, accomplishments and challenges being experienced by the Council. The Councillors then brought to the Minister’s attention a number of issues affecting the parish, these related to the state of roads, drains, fire service and the need for portable water.
In his response, the Minister encouraged the Council to implement measures to maximize revenue activities as a way to supplement funding provided by the Ministry. The ability to fund their activities is an important element of the independence that is being sought for local authorities through the local government reform programme, and local authorities have been mandated to provide 40% of their funding from own source revenues.
He encouraged the staff and councillors to do all they can to move the parish from “a good parish and a good Council to a great Parish and a great Council.”
Continuing on the matter of revenues Minister Arscott indicated that Clarendon has only collected $90M in property taxes for the current tax period and has arrears of $632M. He urged councillors to inform citizens of the purpose of property taxes which includes paying for street lighting, garbage collection, beautification of public spaces and rehabilitation of parochial roads.   The Minister charged councillors to also remind citizens of their legal responsibility to pay their property taxes.
He also noted that the three transportation centres in May Pen, Spauldings and Chapleton, have the potential to generate significant income. “Each Transportation Centre will require an effective business plan and consultations with the key stakeholders to make them viable and sustainable” he advised.
The Minister notified the gathering that submissions made by the Council for financial assistance with plans to develop the May Pen Market and rehabilitate the infirmary, has been included in the Ministry’s Capital ‘A’ budget for 2013-2014. With respect to the Market he gave his assurance that “as soon as the funds are available, the project will be implemented”.
Minister Arscott also seized the opportunity to inform the gathering of the continuous work being done on local government reform programme particularly in the promulgation of the Strategic Laws and the organizational strengthening of LAs. He also spoke of the implementation of the Local Economic Development programme which will examine, identify and develop small and medium businesses.
So far this year the Minister and his team have visited Portland, St Thomas, St Catherine and Clarendon Parish Councils as well as the Portmore Municipal Council. The team will be calling on the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation on March 20, 2013.