THE Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) is moving to make its operations more transparent to citizens of the municipality.

Deputy Mayor Andrew Swaby yesterday announced the setting up of an Audit Committee to improve accountability of the council's operations, and that contracts for goods and services in excess of $275,000 would be posted on the council's website effective April 1.

Swaby said that the Audit Committee would act to ensure that the Corporation adhered to its mandate in assessing efficiency and effectiveness of internal controls over accounting and financial reporting; advise on best practices that would promote productivity and quality of service; and review the internal audit plan, policies, procedures, and advise on their effectiveness.

He said that the Audit Committee would consist of five councillors and two persons external to the Council from appropriate professional areas.

Chairing the Audit Committee is Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Councillor Vernon McLeod. The other four councillors on the committee are the ruling People's National Party councillors (PNP) Carl Little, Gareth Walker, Venisha Williams, and Delroy Williams of the JLP.

The deputy mayor said that the posting of the contracts on the website would be part of an improved customer service programme to be unveiled this year under the council's new strategic plan.

"Our improved customer service programme will also include providing our citizens with further transparency on the operations of the council," he said.

He said that the customer service strategy and plan would lay the foundation for an improvement in "customer service provided to the public by our staff".

As part of the plan, the council will also convene quarterly town hall meetings at strategic locations to provide a forum for stakeholders, the general public and partner agencies.

He said that the council would also provide further public education on the role and responsibilities of the KSAC.