Acting Town Clerk Candace Nelson yesterday said that the business of the council is being hindered by the failure of some council officials to recognise her in her acting position.
At a press conference, she said that the council is at a standstill but added that she is hoping that they will be able to overcome and move forward by taking the citizens into consideration.
Even with the challenges, Nelson declared that she will continue to do her best to function within the ambit of the law. She made mention of the heavy resistance she faces but assured that she is working to carry out the work of the council.
She explained that the challenges have resulted in delayed committee meetings and statutory meetings as she noted their importance, since those sessions are where decisions are made regarding the operation of the council. She also pointed out that the council has not held a committee meeting since August.
While she did not wish to address the active court case in relation to her appointment, Nelson said it does not prevent her from doing her job, nor does it prevent Mayor Ubraj Narine and councillors from doing theirs. Like the Mayor has, she reiterated that she is open to working with everyone.
‘No money’
Nelson also took the opportunity to address the issue of revenue collection and revenue generation, while reminding that the council cannot deliver services without money.
“It is not a mantra but the reality, the council has no money,” Nelson related.
She opined that the council needs to strengthen its capacity to collect all its revenue, and believes it can be done by enforcing regulations contained in the Act and designing and implementing a set of clear policies.
She disclosed that there are still many commercial and residential properties that continue to owe the council large sums.
Nelson explained that even with the award of amnesties, some businesses are refusing or neglecting to honour their obligation to the city. She is convinced that the laws and regulations governing the recovery of outstanding sums need to be completely overhauled. She further stated that the council will need to form alliances with other regulatory bodies to collect its taxes from those who continue to use city services.
The acting Town Clerk also mulled the possibility of implementing a new approach and noted that in order to respond to the new changes, staff members will need to be re-educated, re-equipped, and re trained, to meet new demands and challenges in a changing and very dynamic environment.
She explained the need to review the complex interplay of certain norms and behaviour that have become established at the council and continues to be applied. Some of which she said has the potential to undermine the system of accountability and good corporate governance.
According to Nelson, “One such norm is a blurring of the line between policy making and administration. This is seriously affecting the work of statutory officers whose duties are prescribed within the law. Another norm she highlighted is the “dismissive way in which the valuable work and contributions of officers are treated. This is affecting the quality of commitment of officers to their responsibility [and] these and many others must be review and corrected.”
The acting Town Clerk also disclosed that an aggressive vaccination drive will be held in mid-September to encourage and facilitate their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This drive, she posited, will help to reduce pressure on the local health care system and reduce the overall COVID-19 severity and mortality.
Additionally, a stakeholder conference will be held to discuss ways to make the city clean and green again. Nelson observed that the city is untidy and needs to be cleaned and sanitised. “Garbage is appearing almost everywhere.”
She also noted that there is work to be done to canals, drains, parapets, and city infrastructure, but the council does not have the resources to do it alone.
