Recommendations call for improving accountability and efficiency in Gov’t agencies

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Corey Lane has disclosed that the report of the Thorne Commission on Local Governance has been approved by Cabinet and the recommendations will soon be implemented.

He made the revelation on Tuesday while addressing the opening of a joint three-day regional conference of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), with the support of the European Union.

The theme of the conference is Building Back Better: Local Government Delivering Development in the Caribbean.

Stating that government systems can have many benefits for residents, Lane said when properly implemented with structured monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, such initiatives can have the potential to transform the lives of those who live in poverty, people with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable groups

“Moreover, when functioning as they should, local government systems can play a pivotal role in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

“I am firmly of the view that the huge component of a country’s social and economic development can be achieved through governance at the local level, which is not only well organised but responsive to the actual needs of the public,” he said.

He said the Mia Mottley administration acknowledged the benefits of having well managed local government systems which led to the establishment of the Thorne Commission on Local Governance shortly after coming to office in 2018.

The commission has since held several town hall meetings and consultations to discuss the proposed establishment of community-based people’s assemblies.

Lane said “A comprehensive report of the meetings was subsequently prepared and presented to the Prime Minister and her Cabinet late 2021”.

He said some of the proposed recommendations from citizens include the need for improved accountability and efficiencies in key government agencies; the establishment of a community wellbeing team to establish assistance programmes to protect children, the elderly, people with disabilities and needy residents, and the establishment of an environmental and road repairs committee.

He said recommendations were made in relation to the issuing of licences to develop small business initiatives, the selling the food, entertainment services, and the identification of areas for vending within the assembly area.

Also among the recommendations was the organising of a quarterly community forum, consisting of residents, assembly representatives and members of parliament to discuss national affairs and pending Bills; the provision of land for community-based businesses; and establishment of a community watch committee to work with the police and residents to establish or re-establish neighbourhood watches.

Lane did not give a timeframe for the implementation of the recommendations.

The Thorne Commission on Local Governance report is available for download from the Government Information Service website.

Lane said his ministry would be working closely with public and private sector stakeholders to sensitise the public to the need for local government systems, how they can derive benefits from them, and where the physical structures for the people’s assemblies will be located.

During the three-day CLGF, officials are expected to discuss a range of issues including climate change, economic development and building local resilience, good financial management and women in local government, while examining lessons to be learned over the past two years.
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb