Local Government in Jamaica Key priorities

National Development & Local Priorities Economic growth Reform of Local Government

Local Government Reform Imperatives Legal Framework Financing Framework Financial Management Citizen Participation Institutional Capacity Management of Urban Centres Local Economic Development

Implementation Stages Policy – Ministry Papers (8/93, 7/03) Consultative - National Advisory Council on Local Government Reform Operational - Legal Framework, Revised Organisational Arrangements, Citizen Engagement Mechanisms Institutional – Service Delivery, Accountability & Transparency, Institutional Capacity, Planning (Strategic & Local Sustainable Development Planning), Civic Order & Municipal Enforcement, Local Economic Development

Steps toward SDG implementation Devolution of functions to Local Government Legal responsibility of Local Authorities for sustainable development of their jurisdiction Legal responsibility for Local Authorities to develop Local Sustainable Development Plans Legal responsibility for Local Authorities to develop Local Economic Development Plans Increased focus on the management of urban centres

Role of Local Government in localising SDGs Advocacy for devolution of roles and functions on a basis of specific and objective criteria within a legislative framework Responsibility for the coordination of groups at the local level who have specific responsibilities in SDG implementation Local Governments must participate in the creation of performance monitoring and evaluation frameworks

Role of Local Government in localising SDGs (contd.) Local Government must be strategic and proactive around accountability and transparency initiatives related to its sphere of operations Local Government should identify within the context of the national and local culture, the most ideal mechanisms for civil society participation and lead on its activation

Enabling Factors for Local Government in SDG implementation Strengthening the institutional capacity of local government institutions and local government structures, including civil society organisations Increased collaboration among regional local governments and local government associations across a range of initiatives that are mutually beneficial

Enabling Factors for Local Government in SDG implementation (contd.) Strong national local government associations are a prerequisite for sustainable regional associations Strong local government associations promote strategic approaches to advocacy, build credibility among their membership and become strong networks for communicating and collaborating around common goals including SDG implementation

Potential support to Local Government in SDG implementation Support in the identification of, through mapping, and the operation of stakeholder group/s that will provide oversight to implementation process – Do not reinvent the wheel Integrate and localise where applicable, relevant public education initiatives on SDG implementation

Potential support to Local Government in SDG implementation (contd.) Strengthen local government institutions and associations