KSAMC Establishes Advisory Committee

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has established an Advisory Committee to provide oversight for the financial affairs and management of the organisation.

This 10-member committee, to be chaired by Rev. Dr. Devon Dick, will serve as an interim mechanism for the Local Public Accounts Committee (LPAC).

Speaking at Tuesday’s (March 11) monthly council meeting of the KSAMC, held at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston, Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, explained that the new committee is not a replacement for the LPAC, but will function to ensure that the principles of good governance are upheld.

“It will serve as an independent body. The committee will also support the development of policies and solutions for city challenges to ensure that the voices of our stakeholders and citizens are heard and integrated in decision-making,” he said.

He noted that the membership is voluntary-based, drawing on the expertise of its members to enhance the decision-making process.

Councillor Eugene Kelly of the Whitfield Town Division, who outlined the committee’s critical responsibilities, said that the body will provide oversight for financial operations and general management of the Corporation.

“This advisory committee will promote the establishment and maintenance of clean, safe, and orderly communities, sustainable strategic infrastructure development, resilient technological smart solutions, sustainable inclusive economic growth, job creation, and revenue finance,” he outlined.

“The responsibility of this advisory committee is to review, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding strategic priorities for the Municipality, as well as identify and bring forward issues important to the residents and stakeholders of Kingston and St. Andrew,” he added.

The KSAMC ratified the membership of the Advisory Committee, which also comprises Vice Chairman, Cleveland Tomlinson; Professor Carol Dean Archer; Garnett McIntosh Reid; Dr. Barbara Elaine Carby; Jonathan Swire; Brando Hayden; Stefan Wright; Shirley Lee Pryce; and Legal Advisor, Ketha Silvera.

The resolution forming the committee will be distributed to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, other Municipal Corporations, and the Social Development Commission (SDC), to maintain alignment with national governance frameworks.

The KSAMC Advisory Committee is expected to serve as a vital mechanism for ensuring that policies and initiatives reflect the needs and concerns of residents while fostering a more transparent and accountable governance structure.