Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette advises ratepayers that there have been no increases in rates and taxes for any category of property.

The chairman made these statements in a press release in the wake of reports that increases had been approved for 2009. Corlette said property owners had also alleged that the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) had informed them that the said increases had been approved by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Corlette said the Buxton/Foulis NDC had also published a Public Notice advising rate payers that the RDC had approved its budgeted estimates for 2009.

The chairman said Local Government Minister Kellawan Lall had revoked the delegated powers of the RDC to review and determine estimates for the NDC by circular dated January 22, 2008 Ref. to Cap 28:02 Sec. 54. Therefore, all review and determination of annual estimates for the NDCs and the municipalities now fall under the minister’s purview “which in real terms amount to a matter of re-centralisation.” Corlette said prior to the circular being despatched “[RDCS] in 1983 were delegated supervisory and oversight powers on matters of Cap 28:02 Sec. 54 of the Local Government Act.”

He said Lall had determined that there will be no increases in residential, commercial and industrial/agricultural land rates for the year. Also, no increases have been approved for the following NDCs: Buxton/Foulis, Enmore/Hope, Haslington/ Grove, Unity/Vereeniging, Mon Repos/La Reconnais-sance, Beterverwagting/ Triump, Industry/Plaisance, Mocha/Arcadia, Little Diamond/Herstelling, Caledonia/Good Success and Golden Grove/Diamond Place. However, the release said estimates were approved for the Cane Grove and Soesdyke/Coverden NDC.