Town Halls On Corporations & Government
The Ministry of Home Affairs is inviting the public to a town hall meeting on Thursday, May 3 at 6pm at Penno’s Wharf to discuss the “most appropriate way to strengthen and modernise municipal governance for the benefit of Bermuda”, with the main question being posed being “what should the relationship between the Corporations and the Government look like?”
The Ministry said, “This particular town hall – the first of several to be held – will focus on the Corporation of St. George specifically and is part of a wider six month public consultation.
“Future town hall meetings will focus on the Corporation of Hamilton. At the end of the consultation, a policy document will be made available for review and comment by the general public, prior to the Government making a decision on the optimal governance model for municipalities in Bermuda. The main question being posed is, ‘What should the relationship between the Corporations and the Government look like?’
“The public may recall that, in March of this year, the Minister of Home Affairs Walton Brown tabled a Bill entitled: ‘Municipalities Amendment Act 2018′. This Bill sought to amend the Municipalities Act 1923 to allow public officers to attend meetings of the Corporations; to give directions and take stewardship or temporary control of a Corporation in certain circumstances believed to be in the best interests of Bermuda; and for the next ordinary municipal election to be held in 2019, not 2018.”
Minister Brown said, “Last month’s Bill essentially deferred ordinary municipal elections for a year until May 2019 while we undertake consultations with the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George, and the residents and ratepayers in each municipality, which is what we are doing now.
“The municipalities have served and continue to serve an important purpose – managing the cities of Hamilton and St. George. However, there are inconsistencies in how each is structured. One Corporation is focused mainly on business; one mainly on residential.
“One has a fairly healthy revenue stream; one is reliant on the largess of Government. Both, however, have issues with failing infrastructure. Both are looking for ways to stimulate their economies in order to raise more revenue.
“Municipalities overseas provide social services, including housing, to their residents. Municipalities in Bermuda do not deliver social services; and the need for social services within the municipalities is growing.”
Minister Brown added: “The Government believes that the two levels of Government [national and municipal] can no longer operate in economic or decision-making silos.
“I would encourage residents with ideas, questions or concerns to attend this town hall meeting on Thursday and help us select the ideal structure of these two institutions. We are particularly interested in those who are service-users in St. George’s.
“We must have proper input before making a decision,” the Minister added.
Members of the public can give feedback on this issue by emailing corporationreform@gov.bm
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Is there any opportunity to be more collaborative than a traditional Town Hall Meeting?
Our Bermuda style often results in speakers dominating discussion at the microphone and downloading only with little opportunity for conversations of meaning.
Are we not worthy of more meaningful ways of exploring this and other issues – like World Cafe, Open Space and Circle Practice?
Look at what our Bermuda Hospital Board is doing and the wonderful team of hosting facilitators they have developed.