Just as the government is contemplating carrying out a reform of local government, yet another report by the Auditor General highlights shortcomings that have been repeatedly raised year after year.
It remains to be seen if the planned local government reform will help errant councils pull up their socks. It would seem, however, that despite the government’s commitment to “fully and seriously” support local councils, its decision to divest them of certain responsibilities, such as those for roadworks, the local enforcement system and, now, even for open-air markets, does not seem to show too much trust in them either. Either that or the councils must have proved to the government, as some have shown, they are unable to carry out certain tasks.
Others argue, however, that just because a few councils are incapable of carrying out certain duties, it does not mean the rest are unable or unwilling too. While the government publicly pledges support to local councils, facts prove it has gone against its own commitment when it divested them of responsibilities that are essential to their localities.
Clearly, some councils do need help badly in, first, putting their house in order and, second, operating strictly in accordance with established rules and regulations and, most of all, efficiently. Otherwise, there is no scope in having local councils at all. If, in administrative terms, they are incapable of operating efficiently, they can hardly be of good service to the people living in their locality.
The planned termination of administrative committees is a step in the right direction because the government had taken the concept of local government to an extreme micro-level of administration. Perhaps it is time for a rationalisation exercise of the whole local government structure that could include the elimination of some local councils.
As already remarked by this newspaper a few days ago, this country is becoming over-administered and over-regulated. At local council level, certain administrative matters may have improved a bit but the Auditor General remarks it is important that “certain shortcomings, which have been repeatedly highlighted in reports over a number of years, are addressed without further delay. Only thus can local councils in their entirety regain the trust of our citizens”.
No fewer than 10 councils reported a negative working capital for 2017 and 13 posted a financial situation indicator that was below the established benchmark of 10 per cent. Seven councils registered a deficit in their statement of comprehensive income. Even though this represents four fewer over the figure for the previous year, the number of councils reporting a deficit remains unacceptable.
Two main weaknesses are that procurement is not carried out in line with “pertinent” regulations and accounting records are not properly updated, resulting in financial statements not giving a true and fair view of the actual situation.
This state of affairs calls for drastic action to ensure that the matters raised are seen to.
The White Paper for the reform of local councils incorporates a number of good points but the suggestion for people as young as 16 to contest council elections and even become mayors certainly requires a lot more thought.
The stress on the importance of public administrative values, such as accountability and integrity, is well placed but the government ought first to lead by example.