Kingston Mayor Pledges Bipartisan Approach to Decision-Making

Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, says a bipartisan approach to decision-making will be taken to arrive at a consensus that will best serve the citizens of Kingston and St. Andrew.

“The approach will involve us consulting with the Opposition,” he said.

Mayor Swaby was addressing the monthly meeting of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation held at 24 Church Street in downtown Kingston on April 9.

It was the first sitting of Council following the February 26 Local Government Elections.

With 20 Councillors each, the KSAMC is evenly split between the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP).

However, the Mayor was selected from the PNP’s slate of representatives by virtue of the party winning the popular vote.

“Based on this unique composition of the Council, the mandate given to us by the residents of Kingston and St. Andrew is quite clear,” Mayor Swaby said.

“Both political parties must work together in the execution of our duties and must fulfil the roles in service to the residents of Kingston and St. Andrew. In order to achieve this objective, this Administration must change the usual way in which decisions are made; therefore, moving forward we will be adopting a bipartisan approach,” he added.

Source: JIS News