St Thomas PC strapped for cash

MORANT BAY, St. Thomas:

AS THE St. Thomas Parish Council continues to grapple with a reduced budgetary allocation from Central Government, the Council is now pleading for further funding in order to stay in existence.

"While we understand the Local Government reform process, Central Government needs to hold our hands a little longer or we will fail." Deputy Mayor of Morant Bay Lancelott Comrie told the monthly meeting of the Parish Council last Thursday.

"At the current level of expenditure, with wages and salaries running into more than $2.2m per month - $26.4m per annum, the provision of $629,166.66 or $7,550,000 per annum will leave a deficit close to $19m for this financial year, a situation which is clearly untenable," said the deputy mayor, giving a financial update.

In outlining the dilemma faced by the Council, he said the approved allocation for general assistance grants from the Local Government Ministry falls short of the estimate submitted of which the Ministry will provide $12m against the $23m needed.

Salaries and wages have seen a provision of $9.2m, less than 25 per cent of the $38m requested. In relation to solid waste disposal, the current bill is $7.2m each year and while collectable taxes would cover it if the expected $7.6m was realised, it was more likely that only $5.5m of the amount would end up in the kitty, the Council reported.

Street lighting is also in jeopardy, as only $350,000 per month is allocated, projected against a bill of $900,000 per month. While, no provision has been made for development of social amenities such as parks, emergency services and assistance.

"We need more help or we just have to close the Council. There is the need for Central Government to give more assistance," Mr. Comrie concluded.

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