KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Local Governance (Amendment) Act was passed in the House of Representatives today.

The Bill will allow for adequate recess period for the Municipal Corporations across the island during the month of August.

In piloting the Bill, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, said over the years, the Councils usually suspend their monthly meetings for the month of August, by virtue of resolutions passed by the respective Municipal Corporations.

“The Resolution would then be sent to the ministry for notification. However, this practice was not consistent with the law, and in this regard this Bill seeks to amend Section 32 of the Local Governance Act, which currently requires the Municipal Corporations to hold monthly meetings,” he said.

He noted that this amendment will exclude the month of August from this requirement to hold monthly meetings.

“The result is that this will provide an adequate recess period for the Municipal Corporations,” McKenzie explained.

However, the minister noted that the amendment does not prevent any Municipal Corporation from meeting.

For his part, Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government, Noel Arscott, welcomed the amendment to the Bill.

The Bill will be sent to the Senate for its approval.