these have not been forthcoming

micevan1l6

Mayor and City Council’s Senior Councillor, Patricia Greene, recently wrote to the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud, and Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, imploring them to investigate the Council’s maladministration and financial records.The decision to write the Minister was taken by Mayor Hamilton Green and Councillors at the body’s Statutory Meeting on December 28.It followed the discovery that the City Treasurer, Andrew Meredith, with the approval of Town Clerk, Yonette Pluck, paid incentives to the Treasurer Department’s staff that were also paid salaries, while neglecting to pay nine Drainage and Sanitation workers their salaries in time for the Christmas weekend.In the letter Greene stated, “The Town Clerk and City Treasurer paid incentives in excess of $1M out of funds belonging to the Georgetown Municipality, without the express requisite authorization and permission of the Council.”She emphasized that from that amount, the Town Clerk, City Treasurer and Budget Manager received substantial sums. It is unknown how much was paid to members of staff.In addition, Meredith failed to inform Councillors of the formula used to determine how much incentives would be paid to each category of staff.She pointed out that this act of indiscretion by the seniors fits into a worrying pattern which has developed over time. In particular, the Town Clerk, City Treasurer and City Engineer believe they can do as they want without considering Council.“Several Statutory Meetings ago, the Council had asked the Treasurer to present a written financial report on Council’s financial status at every Statutory Meeting. This has not happened. As a result, Councillors do not really know the true financial position of the municipality,” Ms Greene stated.She added that in 2010 and 2011 the Council had made incessant requests for a comprehensive report on the disappearance of its incinerator (Old Smokey), Princes Street.To date, Council is still awaiting the report, which could reveal what happened to ‘Old Smokey’ and financial transaction surrounding its sale.Another issue raised was the 2011 bribery scandal involving the Treasurer and a hauler that was never investigated even though it brought to the attention of the former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall.Ms Green stressed that the investigation was aborted for reasons unknown to Council.“We have been receiving frequent reports from concerned citizens about unauthorized building works in the City. As a result, we have been consistently requesting plans and drawings of several buildings currently constructed, in the City. To date, these have not been forthcoming,” Green said.She asserted that the Council needs an administration that will improve organizational effectiveness and management; enhance workers’ commitment and team work; improve communications, problem-solving and conflict resolution; and increase ability to adapt to changing circumstances.