Parish Councils Urged to Seek Private Sector Partnerships

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, is encouraging Parish Councils to seek out partnerships with the private sector, to ensure that projects undertaken on behalf of their constituents, can be completed.

Speaking at a meeting of the Clarendon Parish Council, in May Pen, Friday February 10, the Minister said that parish councils had a lot of projects to accomplish, but because of scarce resources, completing them becomes a challenge.

"I'd like to encourage you seek out partnerships and to be creative in maximising your revenue earning potential, so that you’ll be better able to sustain your parish," he told  members of the Clarendon Parish Council.

He said there is a growing public view that parish councils are ineffective, so there is now greater need for councils and their agencies to execute projects that take care of the needs of communities.

Addressing issues of local interest, the Minister said he was sent a list of priority matters by the Clarendon Parish Council that needed urgent attention, chief among which is the need for a fire truck.

"This is of importance to me as I’m very committed to the improvement of the fire services,” he said.

"There’s a fire truck parked in Spanish Town and all it needs is an engine.  I will be contacting the agents.  If we can repair that one, it would free up the stress your truck is under with the numerous bush fires in the region,” the Minister noted.

Mr. Arscott said he welcomed the suggestion that a transport centre should be constructed in the town of May Pen.  “The chaos in May Pen is something that needs serious attention. May Pen is almost a city and so we have to begin looking at it as such, and not as a town,” he said.

Minister of State in the Ministry, Hon. Colin Fagan, who also addressed the Council, told the members that they have a responsibility to demonstrate that they are capable, “that you know what you are doing and that you want to have the autonomy that you seek.”

"So, if you’re not doing what you are expected to do, if the services are not delivered, then all this  talk about property taxes and garbage and light, people will not respond, because they do not see the benefit,” the State Minister said.

By O. Rodger Hutchinson, JIS PRO