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First Local Government Awards

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First Local Government Awards For Local Authorities – local government stalwart, Keith Miller honoured-
Seven Local Authorities and two individuals in Jamaica’s Local Government fraternity were honoured for outstanding performance in respective areas of the local government reform programme during an awards function held in White River St. Mary, on Wednesday, December 30, 2009.
The awards were presented by the Honourable Robert Montague, Minister of State with responsibility for local government, for outstanding performances over the period 2007 – 2009.
The awardees were:
  • The Hanover Parish Council, for most Improved Property Tax Compliance;
  • The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), for Enhancing Own Source Revenue;
  • The Portmore Municipal Council, for Innovative Efforts in Utilising the CLGF Best Practice Scheme In Enhancing the Property Tax Compliance Programme;
  • The Trelawny Parish Council, for Prudent Financial Management;
  • Thomas Parish Council, for Special Efforts at Improving the Welfare of the Indoor Poor;
  • The St. Ann Parish Council was award for being the Local Authority that was most outstanding in Engaging Citizens’ Participation in the Affairs of Local Government;
  • The Manchester Parish Council was recognized for best overall performance in Advanced Implementation of Core Local Government Reform Initiatives;

These Local Authorities were selected by a committee from the Department of Local Government based on a pre-determined set of criteria and in house statistics. The two (2) individual awards handed out were named the ‘Minister’s Award’.

 

 Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who was unavoidably absent, was recognized for his Commitment to the Accelerated Implementation of the Local Government Reform Agenda.  Mr Golding is said to have honoured his promise made during the 2007 election campaign to establish an accelerated time table for implementing agreed reform initiatives emanating from the Interim Report of the National Advisory Council (NAC).

The other Minister’s Award went to Mr. Keith Miller, consultant in the Local Government Reform Unit, for Significant Contribution towards the Advancement of Local Government.  This announcement was met with tremendous support from those present. In accepting the award, Mr. Miller a thirty seven year veteran in the local government arena, expressed his surprise and immense appreciation for the recognition.
Hon. Robert Montague (l), Mr. Keith Miller (r)

 Mr. Miller said that he had much hope for the future of local government tin Jamaica and that it has come a long way. “Obviously there are disappointments and still some challenges but we will reach the point where local government attains its full recognition”, he said .

 Mr. Miller who was once town clerk in the KSAC has input in all major policy documents or legislation created for local government during the last nineteen years.  These range from policy documents such as Ministry Papers 8/93 and 9/03and the NAC Report to the re-establishment of the National Advisory Council on Local Government Reform and provision of technical support.  Major legislations include amendments to legislation enabling the creation of the Parochial Revenue Fund as well as the Municipalities Act.

 

 His influence extends to the international stage and his collaborative efforts with multilateral institutions including the Organization of American States (OAS), World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) have brought added value to the efforts of local government development in Jamaica.

The Local Government Awards function was the culminating activity marking the Department’s Local Government Month celebrations for 2009.  Local Government Month is commemorated in November each year.