The Mayor and City Council yesterday said that a number of leases of its reserves have expired but those concerned are still occupying them and it warned that it will tighten up on the process.
In a statement, the Council cited the following reasons:-
1] Many of these leases are not used or underutilized by lessees.
2] Many of those areas and reserves leased to individuals are overgrown with long grass and bushes and provide cover for those who are intent on criminal activities.
3] Contracts drawn up to lease such reserves were done in an unfavourable and disadvantageous manner to the Council and so the Council benefits little or nothing at all from such leases.
The Office of the Town Clerk is in the process of doing an analysis and preparing a comprehensive report on the way forward in this area of Council’s responsibility, the statement said.
In the meantime, the council said that it expects those whose leases have expired to desist from trespassing on the Council’s reserves and properties and to seek an audience with the Council.
It said that it expects those whose leases are still in force, particularly along the waterfronts and in commercial areas to ensure that they pay all monies owing to the Council forthwith. It warned that those who neglect to pay will have those leases revoked.
The council said that it is also perturbed at the increasing number of individuals who have been taking over alleyways, reserves, thoroughfares and other open spaces.
“These areas are collectively owned by all citizens of Georgetown; no one should have exclusive rights to these facilities without the consideration and fiat of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown – the competent authority to address such matters”, the council said.
