THE ASSOCIATION of Local Government Authorities (ALGA) is seeking funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to develop a secretariat.
Kingston's Deputy Mayor, Larel Thomas, made the announcement at last week's monthly Council meeting of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation.
While declining to discuss the amount of money being sought and where the secretariat would be located, the Deputy Mayor said that the move was being made because it was long past time for the 72-year-old organisation to have a permanent roof over its head.
ALGA came into being in October 1928 and represents a forum where elected officials in Local Government meet regularly to discuss matters of common interest to the island's 12 Parish Councils and the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation.
Currently the organistion's executive council meets "all over the place," said Town Clerk Errol Greene but the Deputy Mayor is hoping to change this.
ALGA's council is made up of a President and three Vice Presidents- elected at ALGA's annual conference and the Mayors of the Local Authorities . However where the Mayor is an elected officer, the Deputy Mayor represents the constituent Council. Completing the slate of the Executive Council is a Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer and three co-opted members, usually persons of special knowledge.
ALGA is mandated to protect the interest, rights and privileges of Local Government Authorities and Community Organisations, to promote the development of Community Organisations and to serve as a liaison between the Authorities and the Ministry of Local Government, International Organisations and/or Bodies, other Ministries and Agencies and Community Organisations. Other objectives include obtaining and disseminating information and matters of importance to Local Government Authorities, taking action in relation to any matter with which the Authorities may be concerned and assisting in maintaining a high standard of Administration of the Public Services operated by the Authorities through the training and development of elected officials.
