Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillors kept to their word and boycotted the swearing-in of councillors of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC), today at the Jamaica Conference Centre.

JLP councillors had threatened to boycott the swearing in ceremony amid claims of partisan politics and cronyism being practised in the planning of the event.

The councillors said they had not been made aware that the venue had been changed from the council’s chambers to the Jamaica Conference Centre.

However, Mayor of Kingston Angella Brown Burke is adamant that no rules or procedures were breached in calling today's meeting.

She pointed out that notices were sent out about the change of venue last Tuesday, noting that they are usually sent the Friday before meetings.

Mayor Brown Burke has admitted, however, that formal invitations were not sent out until Thursday.

She said a more formal approach should have been taken in relation to discussions about the change of venue but says she is still amazed by the dispute which has developed.

Meanwhile, Mayor Brown Burke told councillors present at the swearing in that the elections are over, and it is time to get to work.

She has outlined rodent control and the care of children as two issues high on the council’s agenda.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Kingston, Angela Brown Burke, said some work programmes in the corporate area will be affected as a result of today’s boycott.

She said anyone who is not sworn in today will have to wait until the council’s next meeting in May.

She said this could have implications for the administration of any work programme for the Month of April.

Mayor Burke said it also means that the committees meeting in April will do so without the benefit of the contribution of 14 KSAC members.

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