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Minister Arscott Encourages Teamwork in Local Authorities

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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon Noel Arscott is encouraging teamwork as one way of addressing service deficiencies in Local Authorities.
The Minister made the proposition during meetings at the Trelawny and St. James Parish Councils on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, where he sought to address a number of issues being faced by the Local Authorities. Minister Arscott also encouraged the Councils to develop good working relationships with other Councils in order to share ideas ‘.. look at their best practices and see how these can be applied to your situation’, Minister urged.
Minister Arscott told Councils that he will be utilizing teamwork and partnerships as much as possible in his administration. He disclosed that the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is working with the Ministry, Science, Technology Energy and Mining to explore alternate sources of energy particularly for use in street lighting, as well as, with the Ministry of Water Environment and Climate Change to implement more effective means of tackling the perennial problem of water shortages in areas not serviced by the National Water Commission.
The Minister also expressed his commitment to working with the Councils to solve the problems being experienced even while suggesting that they have it within their power to work out most of the issues they have been facing themselves. This point was endorsed by Minister of State Colin Fagan, who also attended the meetings. ‘It is important as we continue to move the reform process forward that you apply a level of creativity in sourcing funding to meet the needs of your constituents’, Minister Fagan said.
The Local Government Ministers have been conducting a familiarization tour of councils and have already visited the St Ann, St Catherine and Clarendon Parish Councils; next stops will be the Hanover and Westmoreland Parish Councils on Thursday, February 16, 2012.

Minister Arscott Responds to Claims of Political Cronyism in the Handling of Fire at Riverton Landfill

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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon Noel Arscott has expressed disappointment at the outrageous claims made by the former Minister of Housing, Water Environment and Local Government.
Minister Arscott says that it is unfortunate at this time of National crisis when we should be coming together to solve a problem that was not created by any one administration that the former Minister should take such an adversarial position.
“I urge Dr Chang not to politicise such a catastrophic event” the Minister said. “The problem at the landfill is a long-standing one; the Ministry took action as soon as we became aware of the situation”, he added.
The Minister has extended an invitation to meet with Minister Chang to discuss the situation and to address any issues he might have.
The Minister held a press conference earlier today at the landfill at which he updated the media and the public on the status of the fire fighting activities.

Landfill Fire being monitored

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Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Noel Arscott is this evening assuring the nation and residents in the environs of the Riverton City Landfill that every effort is being made to address the current situation relating to a fire which started at the landfill yesterday.

The Minister in quick response to alert from National Solid Waste Management  Authority (NSWMA),  visited the landfill and coordinated and deployed machinery and resources with the assistance of the Jamaica Fire Brigade and the Jamaica Defence Force.

The Minister said he will be meeting with other gpvernment Ministers and relevant agency heads to continue the coordinated response in controlling and extinguishing the fire.

“I regret the inconvenience that this fire and smoke may cause to persons, and will provide timely updates as we work to bring the situation under control” the Minister said.

The landfill is currently under 24-hour surveillance by the landfill director, NSWMA personnel and the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

Minister Arscott who is currently in St. Ann on a familiarization tour of the parish will be returning to the landfill this evening to ascertain the staus and continue to mobilise resources.  He is hoping that the fire will be extinguished by tonight.

Ministers on Familiarization tour of Councils and Agencies

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Minister Noel Arscott and State Minister Colin Fagan in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development have embarked on an official tour of the island’s fourteen local authorities and affiliated agencies today as part of a series of face-to-face dialogue with members of the local government fraternity.
The Ministers who are accompanied by a technical team from the Ministry have used the familiarization tour as an opportunity to outline their vision for the local government portfolio as well as address outstanding issues and challenges being experienced by councils in their pursuit of an efficient and effective reform of the local government system.
In his main address Minister Arscott underscored the commitment of the government to moving the local government reform programme “ … from reform to local government implementation.”
The Minister also reminded council that “while autonomy is a long term goal of council, each council will have to conduct its affairs with transparency and accountability to be able to stand up to scrutiny in order to defend your quest for autonomy.”
Minister Fagan who was also on his first official visit, encouraged councils to; “demonstrate your relevance (to the parish) be creative in maximising your revenue earning potential in order to be better able to sustain your parish needs without dependency on central government”.
While not giving any commitment the ministers outlined the priority programmes under the new administration which included the rehabilitation of fire stations and markets which should include the erection of a new fire station in Moneague , St. Ann.
The Ministers who were on the first leg of their tour at the St. Ann Parish Council also visited the fire station, market, NSWMA office in St. Ann and will join the St. Catherine Parish Council tomorrow at 2:00 pm.

$3m for Portmore Mosquito Eradication Programme

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The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has approved 3 million dollars for an interim mosquito eradication and fogging in the Portmore Municipality. The fund will provide some relief to the residents who have been complaining of the mosquito nuisance in that community.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Noel Arscott says he is aware of the issues caused by the condition of the drains in the community and is moving with dispatch to address them.

The Minister explained that funds were withheld from the Portmore municipality following the failure of the Mayor to respond promptly to a request for details on the programme of work in six communities. The details on the contracts, tender documents and proof that the work had been completed were requested on January 11, 2012. The report was finally received this week and is being reviewed by the technical officers within the ministry.
Minister Arscott says in light of the findings of the Auditor General he has a responsibility to ensure that the public funds are being spent in a responsible manner. He says as soon as the review is completed and if there are no irregularities, the funds will be released.He says the Ministry will continue to monitor and safeguard the expenditure of all monies and will ensure that there is transparency and accountability.

Ministry Moves to Strengthen Internal Monitoring Controls for Councils

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In swift response to media reports citing cases of improprieties and breaches of the government guidelines mentioned in the Auditor General’s report for last year, Minister of Local Government and Community Development the Hon. Noel Arscott, has summoned the management of the affected parish councils to a meeting at the Ministry on Wednesday morning.
The six (6) councils are being requested to take along with them supporting documentation and provide the Minister with the appropriate responses to the incidents identified in the Auditor General’s Annual Report of 2010-2011.
“We heartily welcome the Auditor General’s Annual Report and have taken keen note of its contents involving the councils mentioned. We will now seek to meet with the parish council heads as well as our internal auditors and financial team to pore over the report and assess each incident on a case-by-case basis,” he said.
Since the tabling of the Report, the parish councils were requested on January 24, to provide a response to the incidents cited in the Report and attend a review meeting with a technical team at the Ministry.
The Minister was consulting with members of his internal team today following media reports and the negative implications for the parish councils and the KSAC which have been cited for systemic weaknesses in adherence to stipulated legislations and guidelines.
“We certainly, will leave no stones unturned in getting to the heart of the anomalies highlighted in the report as it strikes a blow at the very foundation of the chief pillars of the local government reform process – accountability, transparency and fiduciary prudence,” Minister Arscott said.
He also noted that as stewards of the nation’s resources, the Ministry has a responsibility to ensure that the highest principles of fiduciary prudence are upheld on behalf of the citizens of this country.
Arising from today’s meeting, the following strategies and measures were identified to address the situation:
(i)                 increase the frequency of fixed and random audits
(ii)               apply sanctions for the non-adherence to proper accountability processes
(iii)             conduct a general assessment and review of the current monitoring mechanism employed by the ministry
(iv)             strengthen and bolster the audit unit within the ministry
The Minister will also be embarking on a series of familiarization visits to the councils in the coming weeks as well as use the opportunity to deepen the dialogue on the issues and the way forward in preventing recurrences.

Condolences on the Passing of Former Mayor & Councillor Byron Gayle

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It is with much regret that I learnt of the passing of former Mayor Cllr Bryon Gayle, today. The Ministry of Local Government & Community Development I take this opportunity to extend condolences to you and the members of your Council in this time of grief.

Whilst he was not a member of the Council at the time of his passing, Mr Gayle’s service to the Council as representative of the Seaforth Division in Western St Thomas and Mayor of Morant Bay from 1976 to 1980, secured for him permanent membership of the local government family and I am sure, in the hearts of his constituents with whom he worked closely.
On behalf of the staff of Ministry of Local Government & Community Development and the local government fraternity I extend sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. My prayers are with you all as you go through this difficult period.

Minister’s Statement on the Passing of Councillor Fitz Albert Christie

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The Ministry of Local Government & Community Development notes with regret the passing of the late Councillor Fitz Albert Christie of the Trelawny Parish Council.
Councillor Christie served the council as, the local representative of the Ulster Spring Division for nine (9) years, Chairman of the Finance Committee and was Deputy Mayor of Falmouth from 2003 to 2007. A very sober individual, it is said that whenever Councillor Christie spoke you knew he meant business; the Trelwany Parish Council and indeed the local government fraternity has lost a valuable asset.
I want to use this opportunity to extend deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues and wish for them God’s guidance in this time of bereavement taking comfort in the words of the good book which says, ‘Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal’.
Noel Arscott MP
Minister

New Temporary Head of NSWMA Appointed

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Minster of Local Government & Community Development Hon. Noel Arscott has appointed Rupert Pryce as temporary head of the National Solid Waste Management Authority effective today, January 12, 2012. The Announcement was made this afternoon at a press briefing at the Minister’s office.
Mr Pryce’s background is in economics and finance, he is former director of the Parochial Revenue Fund which is the main source of revenue for the Local Authorities.
The Minister has also announced that he has received the resignation of the Chairman and board of the NSWMA. The interim Executive Director will manage the authority until a new board is appointed.
The appointment of the Executive Director is the responsibility of the board of directors.

Councillor Lee Clarke Sworn in as Mayor of Kingston

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The City of Kingston got is 52nd Mayor when Councillor Lee Clarke was sworn in yesterday, Tuesday January 10, 2012.
Mayor Clarke who is the councillor for the White Hall division brings to the position years of experience; he has been councillor since 1981 and has served as Deputy Mayor in the Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) for the past 8 years.   Mayor Clarke was instrumental in the writing of the Councillor’s Handbook, the completion of the final report of the National Advisory Committee (NAC) on Local Government Reform as well as the development of the Corporation’s 25-year development plan.
Making his inaugural address, Mayor Clarke said that he would continue much of the work that was started by his predecessor. “I do not come to office intending to re-invent the wheel” he said, adding that he could not solve all the problems but would focus on addressing as many as possible and that he was looking forward to the co-operation of all the councilors to make the KSAC stronger and better.
The Mayor made clear however, that he would be seeking to implement some of his own ideas namely, one which he first voiced back in 2008, a city lottery. Clarke said then that it had the potential to create more than 7,000 jobs directly and indirectly and earn some $1 billion in the first year.  He wanted the idea back on the table because the council faces serious funding problems that have hampered its ability to efficiently carryout its responsibilities particularly as it relates to the numerous roads, drains and gullies within the corporate area.
In addition, Clarke said he plans to push for the implementation of local government reform and appealed to former Mayor Desmond McKenzie and newly installed Minister of Local Government & Community Development, Hon Noel Arscott, to give their full support as members of the House of Representatives.
In his response Minister Arscott congratulated the new mayor and assured him that his administration was committed to the reform process “… and will be working assiduously to ensure that we get that done,” .
The KSAC was holding its first regularly scheduled meeting since the December 29th  general elections in which former Mayor Desmond McKenzie was elected as MP for Western Kingston. The corporation also selected a new Deputy Mayor, Councillor Vernon McLeod who represents the Havendale Division.