WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Councillor of the Frome Division, Lidden Lewis, at the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC) attempted to give notice for a motion to remove the Councillor of the Savanna-la-Mar North Division, Devon Thomas, from his position as deputy mayor.

“There is a lack of accountability and transparency at the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation and the deputy mayor has failed in his role to bring change, neglecting his duty to properly support operations at WMC,” Lewis said at the Thursday meeting.

However, the notice was not accepted by Mayor Danree Delancy who stated that proper procedures were not followed.

“It won’t be accepted on the grounds that it was not submitted within the time frame,” Mayor Delancy stated.

After a few minutes of banter to determine if the notice was legal, Lewis withdrew the motion.

“I withdraw the motion from this meeting if that needs to be the case.” Lewis posited. “CEO (Chief executive officer) I now ask that this motion be presented in January.”

However, Lewis was further informed that the entire procedure would have to be redone.

Arguing that he was not the one at fault, Lewis said he wanted the CEO of the WMC, Andre Griffiths, to explain why the notice was brought to this meeting as opposed to the meeting in January. But that request was also denied.

“I want the CEO to address the matter. Why was the notice brought to the meeting, if it was not to be presented?” Lewis questioned. “It was submitted from December 5.”

“Notice will be redone and given to CEO eight days prior to the next meeting,” Lewis conceded.

The motion was moved by Lewis and seconded by Julian Chang of the Savanna-la-Mar Division.

An attempt was also made to give notice for a second motion to request that the councillors all receive a percentage of the parochial funding as opposed to a flat figure. This was moved by Lewis and seconded by Councillor of the Grange Hill Division Warren Lyttleton.

— Rosalee Wood Condell