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Since our last Council meeting, the Ministry invited all mayors to a meeting where certain aspects of the proposal were clarified. We were also advised that further engagements and consultations will be held with councillors across the parishes. We look forward to those discussions and expect that they will provide the necessary clarity and allow for meaningful input from those of us closest to the realities on the ground.

We are encouraged that our concerns have not fallen on deaf ears, as we continue to advocate for the inclusion of local authorities in any centralized road management framework.

We have been advised that local authorities will retain oversight of the roads currently under our management, particularly community roads—an issue we previously raised as a key concern. The Minister also indicated that some roads will transition to central government.

The One Road Authority is expected to assume responsibility for setting standards and providing regulatory oversight for road maintenance across the island. This is a role which, if properly executed, could bring greater consistency and coordination. However, significant issues remain.

The primary challenge affecting road maintenance across the island has always been inadequate funding. It is not yet clear how the establishment of this One Road Authority will address that persistent issue. There is also no clear indication of how local authorities will access increased allocations from central government to effectively maintain and rehabilitate roads underour care.

Additionally, we must confront the reality that our technical capacity remains below what is required. The Road and Works Department continues to operate with fewer technical officers than needed, and the authority to expand that capacity does not rest with us at the municipal level.

To put this into perspective, the approved establishment structure of the KSAMC provides for four Assistant Superintendents; at present, we have only one. Likewise, of the fifteen approved work overseer positions, only one is currently filled. That, in itself, illustrates the scale of the gap.

Compounding our challenges in filling existing positions on the approved establishment is the requirement imposed by the Local Government Services Commission that local authorities must first demonstrate the capacity tofinance staff from their own source revenues before these posts can be filled. We are in dire straits.

As the government moves forward with the establishment of the One Road Authority, there must be equal consideration for the capacity of local authorities to carry out their responsibilities. If we are to deliver improved outcomes, local authorities must be properly resourced—both financially and technically. These are critical issues that must be addressed if the Authorityis to achieve its intended objectives.

It would be remiss of me not to use this opportunity to clarify a statement made by Minister McKenzie in response to a question at the Standing Finance Committee meeting, when asked about the adequacy of funding to municipal corporations, the Minister responded by saying that the funding allocation is adequate, but that it is because some local authorities have employed persons outside of the approved establishment (temporary workers) why they are unable to employ staff to fill established posts. This is not so for the KSAMC, historically the central government would provide funding for these established posts.  However, subsequent to the recent salary increase and reclassification of some positions on the establishment, the KSAMC has seen a significant reduction in funding from the central government.

His Worship the Mayor of Kingston

Councillor Andrew A. Swaby, JP

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