Message from the Minister of Local Government and Community Development

Message from the Minister of Local Government and Community Development

Local Government and Community Month is a time in which we traditionally reflect on our achievements as a Ministry, and look forward to implementing policies and programmes for the upcoming year.For 2015, this special month of activities is being observed under the theme “Empowering Communities through Improved Governance” and this is an objective thatwe have been actively pursuing for some time.
The theme is especially significant this year, as we have are now at the verge of implementing the legislative framework within which the Local Government Reform agenda can effectively take place.

Since the celebration of Local Government and Community Month in 2014, the system of Local Government has been given Constitutional protection through the Parliamentary passage of the Constitution (Amendment) (Local Government) Act 2015. Additionally, we have tabled for debate in the House of Representatives, the long-awaited Three Strategic Laws that will give the systems and processes of a more contemporary, accountable and rules-based Local Government practical value. These are the Local Governance Bill, the Local Government (Unified Service and Employment)
Bill and the Local Government (Financing and Financial Management) Bill.I lookforward to the debates in Parliament, and we eagerly anticipate the completion of this stage of the total reform process.

In the midst of these and other notable achievements, there is much to be done. I specially want to recognize the work of the Agencies, Local Authorities and the staff of the central Ministry, and urge each of you to be of good courage as we confront thechallenges of public service together.

Noel Arscott MP

Minister