Good Practice Scheme phase three Jamaica
Country overview
Jamaica is situation in Western Caribbean and has a population of 2,780,132 (2007), averaging at 200,446 for local authority areas. The smallest being Hanover at 67,500, and the largest is Kingston and St Andrew Corporation at 716,000. Resulting in 54% of the population living in urban areas. The capital of Jamaica is Kingston.
There are 15 local government authorities (parish councils including Kingston and St Andrew) in Jamaica. Local authorities are responsible for developing, managing and maintaining infrastructure and public facilities; provision of local sevices such as poor relief, public cleansing, public health and street lighting. In addition to this they have powers to regulate building and planning approvals and development control, licensing of trades and businesses, street parking and control of public vending.
Country theme: Strategic planning and management
The GPS in Jamaica was launched in April 2004 with support from the Minsitry of Local Government, Community and Sport. The scheme is funding four council based projects and one national led project all under the theme of strategic planning and management which is a key local government priority emerging from the local government reform programme, and directly supports the shift of emphasis towards community-led initatives and local self government. Jamaica was selected as a focus country because of its commitment to local government reform since 1989.
GPS projects
Focus country authority/association: Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGAJ)
Partner organisation: Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
Project duration: 2 years
Project summary
The objective of this project is to build the capacity of the the ALGAJ by working on the following:
- Business planning
- Development of a communications strategy
- Office management
- Web and database development
- Financial management
- Subscription management
Focus country authority/association: Portmore Municipal Council
Partner organisation: Cannock Chase Council
Project duration: 2 years
Project summary
This project aims to build the capcity of Portmore Municipal Council (PMC) to take a strategic approach to developing a collective strategy and spatial vision and to resolving priority projects. As PMC is a relatively new council the project is broad based and aims to build strategic capacity across a number of activities and to provide technical support to enable a strategic approach. Outputs will include:
- Improved technical ability and skills to deliver a development plan and to connect social and economic priorities to the development planning process.
- One demonstration project 'Port Henderson' aimed at building stakeholder support and commitment to realise a major development opportunity.
- Improved technical ability to establish and use a GIS database.
- Exchange of experience on Council structures and building capacity of elected members.