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House Passes Bill to Allow Recess Period for Municipal Corporations

By: , July 19, 2017

The Key Point:

The Local Governance (Amendment) Act was passed in the House of Representatives on July 18.
House Passes Bill to Allow Recess Period for Municipal Corporations
Photo: Michael Sloley
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, makes a point as he addresses the House of Representatives on July 18.

The Facts

  • In piloting the Bill, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said over the years, the Councils usually suspend their monthly meetings for the month of August, by virtue of resolutions passed by the respective Municipal Corporations.
  • “The result is that this will provide an adequate recess period for the Municipal Corporations,” Mr. McKenzie explained.

The Full Story

The Local Governance (Amendment) Act was passed in the House of Representatives on July 18.

The Bill will allow for adequate recess period for the Municipal Corporations across the island during the month of August.

In piloting the Bill, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said over the years, the Councils usually suspend their monthly meetings for the month of August, by virtue of resolutions passed by the respective Municipal Corporations.

“The Resolution would then be sent to the Ministry for notification. However, this practice was not consistent with the law, and in this regard this Bill seeks to amend Section 32 of the Local Governance Act, which currently requires the Municipal Corporations to hold monthly meetings,” he said.

He noted that this amendment will exclude the month of August from this requirement to hold monthly meetings.

“The result is that this will provide an adequate recess period for the Municipal Corporations,” Mr. McKenzie explained.

However, the Minister noted that the amendment does not prevent any Municipal Corporation from meeting.

For his part, Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government, Noel Arscott, welcomed the amendment to the Bill.

The Bill will be sent to the Senate for its approval.

Last Updated: July 20, 2017

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