Regional councils - Councillors apprised of their new roles |21 July 2018

Councillors representing the seven regional councils set up a week ago met for a day-long induction session yesterday to be apprised of their new roles, to learn more on the local government strategy, the rules and regulations that will guide the work of the regional councils among other matters.

The session which took place at the STC conference room was also the opportunity for the seven members of each of the council to meet and discuss various issues with members of the management team of the local government department as well as interact with the different district administrators in their respective regional council.   

The special advisor for local government, Dan Frichot, welcomed the councillors and called on them to avail of the opportunity to learn as much as they could and to ask questions and seek clarifications from members of the management team.

“The regional councillors will have a leadership and a representative role in the different regions and they will be responsible to ensure the voices and aspirations of the people in the community are heard and addressed and their concerns and needs taken care of,” Mr Frichot said.

Betty May Sopha, principal policy analyst in the department of local government, introduced the councillors to the five-year strategic direction of the department through a detailed presentation.

On the agenda was also a presentation on the regional council framework, the code of conduct for councillors, norms and standards for the council as well as the rules and regulations that will guide their business.

Amanda Denis, a member of the West council, is very enthusiastic about the work that lies ahead.

“The aim of the council is to help oversee the development of our community in the districts to ensure that in line with the local government strategy and the DAs we work together. I also believe that the council should be well structured and organised to ensure that we all have the necessary resources and we get the support we need to be able to deliver on all its objectives,” Ms Denis said. 

Members of the council are expected to meet soon for their first regional council meeting.