The Revenue Appeals Division (RAD) is reporting a major reduction in its appeals backlog from 466 to 68 cases over the last three years. The reduction is among achievements under the entity’s medium-term strategic initiatives covering the financial periods from 2017/18 to 2019/20. “This is the lowest inventory level in the last 10 years and we are almost current with...

Local authorities and partner agencies received 3,773 development applications valued at $148.3 billion in the last financial year, with 2,777 approved within 90 days, representing an approval rate of nearly 84 per cent. Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the disclosure during his 2020/21 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 21),...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is in the process of instituting measures aimed at further strengthening the accountability framework at Municipal Corporations. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says chief among these is the implementation of a new accounting-based system, for which technical assistance support is being provided by the European Union (EU). He also mentioned the proposed...

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, on Tuesday (July 21) tabled the Dogs (Liability for Attacks) Act 2020 in the House of Representatives, which will provide for criminal and civil liability for an owner of a dog that attacks, injures and or causes the death of a person. This follows several vicious attacks on members of the public up to...

The Social Development Commission (SDC) will be hosting two community markets and business fairs to benefit residents of St. Elizabeth and St. Thomas on July 23 and July 25, respectively. The events form part of the SDC’s initiatives to keep community businesses in operation during this period of economic downturn caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). “Currently, many of the [St....

Aggrieved taxpayers are being advised to contact the Revenue Appeals Division (RAD) to appeal decisions made by the Revenue Commissioners. “For those taxpayers who have in your possession a decision that you are not in agreement with and you are aggrieved, you can appeal to the Revenue Appeals Division,” said Senior Legal Officer in the Division, Monique Nelson. “Decisions that...

Four hundred and fifty care packages were distributed to residents of Canterbury, Albion Lane, Williams Street and surrounding communities in Montego Bay, St. James, on July 21 by the St. James Municipal Corporation and United Nations (UN)-Habitat. This is part of a US$100,000 coronavirus (COVID-19) response programme being undertaken by the Corporation. Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis, led...