Vision

The premier government organisation in the Caribbean that facilitates the development of communities that can deliver sustainable first world services through modern, participatory, autonomous and adaptive systems, for the benefit of all citizens.

Mission

To provide a sound policy, legal, technical and administrative framework that supports excellent service delivery and operational management by the Local Authorities and portfolio agencies, in a manner that advances the ideals of effective local governance and the goals of sustainable, community development, through a purpose-driven and competent work force.

Roles & Functions

Role & Functions The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development acts as the agent of local development. This covers the areas of:

• • Community Development
  • Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management
  • Fire Services
  • Infirmaries
  • Local Governance
  • Local Government Amenities (abattoirs, pounds and cemeteries)
  • Local Government Reform
  • Local Sustainable Development Planning
  • Minor Water Supplies and Social Water
  • Municipal Parks and Beautification
  • Outdoor Poor Relief Services
  • Parochial Markets
  • Parochial Roads
  • Planning Approvals
  • Rural Development
  • Rural Electrification
  • Rural Water
  • Solid Waste Management
  • Street Lighting

Local government reform was added when a Reform Unit was established 1994 guided by a policy paper written a year earlier as well as extensive discussions on the issues over the years. The responsibility for local development has been linked to other subjects in the past in keeping with the policy position and priority of successive Political Administration.

Structure

The Ministry dispenses its function through five (5) agencies and fourteen (14) local authorities namely;

• Jamaica Fire Brigade
• Board of Supervision (which is responsible for the nation’s infirmaries)
• The National Solid Waste Management Authority -NSWMA
• Social Development Commission – SDC
• Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management -ODPEM
• 14 Municipal Corporations – Local Authorities