Greater responsibilities for outer island Mayors, Councilors
Visits to the outer islands to inform them of the provisions of the new Bill which will devolve greater financial and budgetary responsibility to outer island Mayors and Councilors, will commence as from next Monday with Mangaia being the first on the list.
Otheniel Tangianau of the Prime Minister’s Office advised the Times on Friday morning that this process of devolution follows the recent functional review of the public service by the Asia Development Bank. In respect of issues related to governance, the review recommended government look at the governance and structure of the outer islands.
Government has given priority to granting power to the island’s elected representatives rather than island secretaries. Previously there was no indication that funds allocated to the outer islands was actually spent on the outer islands. Government also wants the outer islands to receive the same services as Rarotonga enjoys. Outer islanders also want their own elected representatives to make the decisions.
Although the new Bill is still receiving the finishing touches at Crown Law, it is expected to be tabled when parliament next sits.
Outer island Mayors received a briefing on the new Bill at their recent conference on Rarotonga. The powers to be conferred on them were explained and so were their responsibilities.
Under the Bill, Mayors and Councilors will be responsible for developing and managing their own budgets. A new position of Executive Officer (EO) will be created. The EO will have the same duties as Island Secretaries and be employed under the same conditions as any public servant. The Mayor and Councils will make the actual decisions regarding the delivery of services and the EO will deliver those services on behalf of government. However, the EO will be responsible to the Mayor and won’t work directly through the Public Service Commission but will work with the PM’s office.
As from the next financial year, Councils will develop their own budget proposals. The Bill requires outer islands to have a proper community strategy plan. It is critical that this plan be in place before June 2013. -Charles Pitt

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