The administrative arm of the Mayor and City Council needs to be more proactive and committed in the delivery of service to the public for the New Year, Mayor Patricia Chase-Green said on Wednesday, while informing Town Clerk Royston King that he needs to be sterner with officers.
Speaking at the final statutory meeting of 2016, Chase-Green announced that she was committed, in 2017, to changing the ways in which public matters are addressed by the administrative department.
She pointed out that the City Treasurer, Engineers and Constabulary would be the departments which would receive special attention. According to the Mayor those departments interact regularly with the public and as result they need to be more efficient in the delivery of their services.
“2017 will not be work as usual in the Treasury Department and the Engineer’s Department and the Constabulary. We have been [receiving] complaints… Those who do not want to work will have to go home,” the mayor said. She explained that members of the public would make reports on issues affecting them but no relief would be given; persons would visit the Treasury Department to pay fees and be turned away.
“People leave their jobs to come and pay the city council and their money should be collected,” she announced while noting that any constable found guilty of collecting bribes from vendors would be sent home. The announcement received the support from those around the horseshoe table through thudding on the table and cheers.
King was informed that he would be responsible for ensuring that officers of the departments function effectively.
“Town Clerk, I am putting you on notice. If you cannot manage your officers, this council can manage you and we will manage you,” Chase-Green said to King with the support from councillors. She said King would be held accountable for the delivery of service and professional conduct of the council officers.
“I am committed… We have got to see changes and the changes have to be start from the top. Every officer must be willing and committed toward the changes… 2017 we will show action; we are not talking anymore,” Chase-Green declared.
Responding, King said the administrative department had begun to make plans to improve on the quality of service delivered to the public. He noted that they have scheduled seminars and training programmes for staff to improve the skills necessary to produce results. He also indicated that the administrative arm would spend the first six months developing its human resources.
At the conclusion of the formal proceedings, councillors and heads of departments exchanged well wishes with each other for the New Year. Several councillors reflected on the work done over the last nine months and challenged themselves to do more for the residents of Georgetown as they aim to leave a legacy.
