The Special Select Committee on Local Government has completed consideration of another two bills, according to Chairman Basil Williams, and stands ready to tackle the fourth and final bill as early as the next scheduled committee meeting later this week.
The Select Committee is charged with the consideration of four Bills which are crucial to Local
Government Reform, and the holding of Local Government Elections.
With the completion of the Local Government Commission Bill and the Local Government (Amend-ment) Bill last Friday, and the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) earlier last month, the Committee now positions itself to complete the consideration of the Fiscal Transfers Bill.
Considering the fact that the committee’s work is almost complete, attempts were made yesterday to contact People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) MPs Gail Teixeira and Ganga Persaud, who is also the Local Government Minister, for a comment on the progress made. Neither of them could be reached.
“We knocked out two Bills in quick time,” remarked Williams, commenting on last Friday’s proceedings. He said though, that there were a few skirmishes between government and opposition members of the committee. As it relates to the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, Williams had said that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was keen on transplanting functions which currently reside with the Local Government Minister to the Local Government Commission.
This issue was contentious, according to Williams, and was “parked” along with several others in an effort to move forward with the Committee’s work. This time, when the issue was re-engaged, Williams told Stabroek News yesterday that the combined opposition successfully voted to remove functions which once resided with the Local Government Minister, placing them in the jurisdiction of the Local Government Commission.
Williams said that the move was important, especially since the aim of the reform is to place more power in the hands of the local governing organs.
Concerning the Local Government Commission Bill, Williams had explained that government members of the committee had proposed that a Regional Executive Officer (REO) be placed in every Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
This move was opposed by the opposition parties and was eventually parked since government and the combined opposition were unable to reach a consensus on the issue. However, the government’s proposal was voted down last Friday when it was once again raised for consideration.
The major issue with the outstanding Bill, the Fiscal Transfers Bill, is the formula which is to determine the allocation of funds from Central Government to NDCs and Municipalities. Currently all NDCs and Municipalities receive subventions using a rationale that does not take into consideration the size of specific needs of the territories.
As such, the Committee requested submittals of formulae for consideration. These formulae once decided upon, will determine how funds are allocated to these local governing bodies.
So far, Vincent Alexander, an expert in this area, has submitted a revised proposal for consideration by the committee while Navin Chanderpal, another expert, is yet to submit his revised formula. Both men had submitted initial proposals which were sent back by the council for revision.
Nevertheless, Williams was optimistic that consideration of the Fiscal Transfers Bill can be completed as early at the next committee meeting this week.
