COUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN BARBADOS SUMMARY Barbados is a parliamentary democracy without elected local government. However, the Constituency Councils Act 2009 created 30 appointed constituency councils. Department of Constituency Empowerment (DCE) within the Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development5.3c has responsibility for Barbados’ constituency empowerment programme and, by extension, for the CCs. In 2010, 40.7% of constituency councillors and 16.7% of council chairpersons were women. Local government income is fixed and BB$100,000 per council is allocated annually and so constituency council expenditure is slowly reducing and is around 0.07% of total government expenditure. Constituency Councils provide a wide range of services based on the needs of their constituents. CCs are also expected to effectively and efficiently assist in the management of national government resources assigned for the development of each constituency, within a framework of good governance.

1. NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 3. STRUCTURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT Barbados is a parliamentary democracy 3.1 Local government within the state with a bicameral .5.1a There is no elected local government in The is HM Queen Elizabeth II who Barbados. Local governance is delivered is represented by, a governor-general who through appointed councillors who are is a national of the country. The parliament chosen after a detailed process that comprises an elected house of assembly begins with their applying to serve. For and an appointed senate. The house of administrative purposes Barbados is assembly has 30 members elected by divided into 11 parishes plus the capital KEY FACTS universal adult suffrage every five years. city of Bridgetown. These are further The senate has 21 members appointed divided into 30 electoral districts or POPULATION (2017 estimate): by the governor-general: 12 on the advice constituencies, each of which has a 292,366 of the prime minister, two on the advice constituency council (CC). of the leader of the opposition and the AREA (UN 2006): remaining seven at the governor-general’s 3.2 Ministerial oversight 430 sq km discretion. Following the 2013 national , 16.7% of the members of the The Department of Constituency CAPITAL: house of assembly and 23.8% of senators Empowerment (DCE) within the Bridgetown were women.5.1b The prime minister, Ministry of Social Care, Constituency CURRENCY: usually the leader of the majority party, is Empowerment and Community 5.3c (BB$) head of the government. The governor- Development (MSCCECD) has responsibility for Barbados’ constituency general appoints 18 ministers to the HEAD OF STATE: empowerment programme and, by cabinet from within the house of assembly HM Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the prime minister. extension, for the CCs. In addition to the creation of both the DCE and the CCs the GOVERNOR-GENERAL (ACTING): programme will also in the future create Sir Philip Greaves 2. LEGAL BASIS FOR constituency empowerment centres. HEAD OF GOVERNMENT: LOCAL GOVERNMENT Prime Minister Freundel Stuart 2.1 Constitutional provisions 3.3 Constituency councils 5.2a There is no constitutional provision. Constituency councils5.3c (CCs) have been FORM OF GOVERNMENT: established in all 30 constituencies across with parliamentary democracy 2.2 Main legislative texts Barbados. Local governance in Barbados The main legislative text is the Constituency takes the form of a voluntary constituency- PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM: Councils Act 20095.2b, the latest amendment based model which forms an integral part bicameral to which was on 26 September 20145.2c. of Barbados’ constituency empowerment programme. Each CC consists of 11 persons STATE STRUCTURE: appointed by the minister, including a unitary 2.3 Proposed legislative changes chairperson and a treasurer. Individuals LANGUAGES: No information available are invited to apply to serve on the CC for English (official), Bajan (recognised) the area in which they live or for an area 2.4 National urban policy with which they are otherwise associated. NATIONAL ELECTIONS: The Physical Development Plan 20175.2d, A selection committee of senior civil last: 2013, turnout: 62%; next: 2018 which the Government is in the process of servants makes recommendations to the minister on who should be selected to WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT (2013): updating, is intended to provide a vision assembly members 16.7%, senators 23.8% for sustainable growth and development serve on the CCs. Significant attention by setting out policies to guide is paid to selecting persons who have LOCAL ELECTIONS: relationships between land uses, built relevant community experience and/or there is no elected local government form, mobility, community facilities and who represent a special interest group. The WOMEN COUNCILLORS (2010): physical infrastructure. It is also intended local member of parliament is an ex-officio 40.7% to be a framework to facilitate and guide member of the CC. Members hold office for a term of two years and are eligible for investment, both public and private, to LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE reappointment for a further term. 2035 with the goal of promoting a healthy, as a percentage of total government prosperous and resilient nation. expenditure 2017–18: 0.07%

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Table 5.1a Distribution of councils and population 5. SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Parish Constituency Population Population % rural councils (2010 Census) (2017 estimate) (2015) 5.1 Legal requirement The 2014 amendment to the Christ Church 5 54,336 na na Constituency Councils Act 2009 requires St Andrew 1 5,139 na na that each CC hold annual public meetings to update local residents on its St George 2 19,767 na na progress and agenda for the prescribed period. Previously this requirement was St James 3 28,498 na na biannual. The Constituency Councils Act 2009 requires CCs to build databases of St John 1 8,963 na na their constituency in collaboration with government departments and to identify St Joseph 1 6,620 na na the priority needs of their constituency St Lucy 1 9,758 na na based on supporting data. The Act invites the public to submit requests to St Michael* 11 88,529 na na the CCs outlining any particular needs, and these must be discussed at CC St Peter 1 11,300 na na meetings and formally reported on. St Philip 3 30,662 na na 5.2 Implementation St Thomas 1 14,249 na na No information available. TOTAL 30 277,821 292,366 32.4 5.3 ICT use in citizen engagement 5.3a .3b * includes Bridgetown Source: DCE correspondence with CLGF, census and World Bank There was a centrally-managed constituency councils’ website with The CC is defined as ‘a legally established 4. ELECTIONS pages for each council. Since 2016, this body of local representatives, who 4.1 Recent local elections 4.2 Voting system has been discontinued. have been appointed and given the There is no elected local government5.4. authority to voice the concerns of the 6. ORGANISED LOCAL GOVERNMENT various residents of the constituency’, and its role is ‘to maintain links with the 4.2 Voting system There are no organised country-wide Government and its agencies; and to Not applicable. associations of local government. effectively and efficiently assist in the management of resources assigned 4.3 Elected representatives 7. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS for the development of the given As per the amendments made to the The DCE has set up formal protocols constituency’. Each CC has a number Constituency Councils Act 2009, dated 26 to liaise with all major government of sub-committees which gather September 2014, each council now has departments on behalf of the CCs, socioeconomic information on the 11 members appointed by the minister, which allow for the fast-tracking of constituency, paying particular attention including a chairperson and a treasurer. issues that arise at CC level. The CCs have to demographic and geographic Members hold office for a term of two named contact persons within various particularities. The sub-committees then years and are eligible to hold office for ministries and can contact them directly. advise the CC as to the major needs a maximum of six years or three terms. Regular meetings are held between the and concerns in their areas. Larger In the selection process for nominated leadership of the CCs and the ministry to projects are worked on in partnership councillors, efforts are made to ensure all share best practice and ideas as well as with the DCE and other stakeholders. vulnerable groups are included. to address any concerns that may arise. Many smaller projects are carried out by the CCs in direct collaboration with 8. MONITORING SYSTEMS the community. The CC also acts as an 4.4 Women’s representation Each CC must keep financial and other advocacy group and supports public and In 2010 96/236 councillors (40.7%) records for seven years and submit monthly private sector organisations by lobbying were women and in 2013, five of the 30 to the MSCCECD through the DCE. Each on behalf of constituents. chairpersons (16.7%) were women. CC must also be audited annually. The

Table 5.1b Women councillors and chairpersons following the last four local elections

Election 2010 2013 2015 2017

Councillors # % # % # % # %

Female councillors 96 40.7 na na na na na na

Male councillors 140 59.3 na na na na na na

Total councillors 236 100.0 330 100.0 330 100.0 330 100.0

Chairperson

Female chairperson na na 5 16.7 na na na na

Male chairperson na na 25 83.3 na na na na

Total chairpersons na 100.0 30 100.0 na 100.0 na 100.0

Source: DCE correspondence with CLGF

26 www.clgf.org.uk/barbados COUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN Barbados

auditor general may at any time carry out receive an annual stipend of BB$120 REFERENCES AND USEFUL WEBSITES an investigation of the accounts of a CC. (US$60) each, except for the chairperson, 5.1a website The DCE must submit a detailed account who receives BB$200 (US$100). All www.gov.bb of the activities of each CC annually. members of councils therefore serve on 5.1b Women in national parliaments. a voluntary basis. www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm 9. FINANCE, STAFFING AND RESOURCES 5.2a Constitution www.oas.org/dil/ 9.1 Local government expenditure 9.5 Loans The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf Local government expenditure as No information available. 5.2b Constituency Councils Act 2009 the proportion of total government www.barbadosparliament.com/ expenditure has slightly dropped from htmlarea/uploaded/File/Act/2009/ 10. DISTRIBUTION OF SERVICE 0.08% in 2013 to 0.07% in 2017, table 5.2b. The%20Constituency%20 DELIVERY RESPONSIBILITY Councils%20Act,%202009.pdf 10.1 Overview of local government 5.2c www.barbadosparliament.com/ 9.2 Locally raised revenue service delivery responsibility uploads/bill_resolution/aa618bc06 The 2014 amendment to the CCs provide a wide range of services based 55c4328f0c5ae8078acec97.p Constituency Councils Act 2009 enabled on the needs of their constituents. CCs are he councils to raise their own funds also expected to effectively and efficiently 5.2d Physical Development Plan, assist in the management of national as amended 2017 www.townplanning.gov.bb/pdp 9.3 Transfers government resources assigned for the 5.3a Population and Housing Census Each of the 30 CCs receives BB$100,000 development of each constituency, within 2010, Barbados Statistical Service per annum from the national government. a framework of good governance. www.barstats.gov.bb/files/ CCs receive money in tranches and have documents/PHC_2010_Census_ their accounts replenished only when 10.2 ICT use in service delivery Volume_1.pdf there is a satisfactory report on spending. No information available. The funds are kept in central accounts 5.3b Data on rural population figures: and released to the CCs as projects http://data.worldbank.org/ and programmes are undertaken and 10.3 The role of local government indicator/SP.URB.TOTL reported on. Each CC has its own bank in achieving the UN Sustainable 5.3c Ministry of Social Care, account into which its money is deposited. Development Goals (SDGs) Constituency Empowerment and The chairperson and treasurer sign off Barbados was the first country to appoint Community Development expenditure on behalf of the CC. a permanent secretary with responsibility www.socialcare.gov.bb for SDG coordination. The Prime Minister 5.4 commission has created the role within the Ministry of www.electoral.barbados.gov.bb 9.4 Local authority staff Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Further, There is an officer of the DCE (a full-time 5.5 Constituency councils’ website the Economic Affairs Division of the Ministry www.councils.gov.bb salaried public servant) posted in every of Finance and Economic Affairs has also 5.6 No references for these sections constituency, whose role is to liaise started to Integrating the UN SDGs into with the public on behalf of the CCs. Barbados' growth and development 5.7 No references for these sections Members of the constituency councils strategy (BGDS) 2013–2020.5.10 5.8 No references for these sections 5.9 Calculated BB$100,000 transfer Table 5.2a Income and expenditure for local government in 2016 to each constituency council Income 2016 BB$m Expenditure 2016 BB$m provided in the profile by the MSCCECD and total government Centre–local transfers Administration expenditure www.barbadosparliament.com/ Restricted 3.0 Staff na uploads/document/63cafecdc2d13 f78bc57b995a8e41e22.pdf Locally raised revenue Other administrative costs na 5.10 Integrating the UN SDGs into Property taxes 0.0 Services Barbados growth and development strategy (BGDS) 2013–2020, Ministry Licences and fees 0.0 Roads na of Finance and Economic Affair www.cepal.org/sites/default/files/ Other income 0.0 Water na events/files/integrating_the_un_ TOTAL INCOME 3.0 TOTAL EXPENDITURE ∼3.0 sdgs_into_barbados_growth_and_ development_strategy_bgds_2013- Source: DCE correspondence with CLGF 2020_-_barbados_-_patrick_ mccaskie.pdf Table 5.2b Local government expenditure 5.11a UN 2012 surface area http:// as a percentage of total government expenditure 2013–2017 unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/ 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 products/dyb/dyb2006/Table03.pdf actual estimated estimated estimated budgeted 1.11b Commonwealth Local Government BB$m BB$m BB$m BB$m BB$m Knowledge Hub www.clgf.org.uk/ Total government expenditure 3,994.7 3,957.9 4,003.5 4,441.3 4,549.5 resource-centre/knowledge-hub 5.11c UNDP HDR Barbados country Total local government 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 profile http://hdr.undp.org/en/ expenditure countries/profiles/BRB Local government expenditure as a percentage of total 0.08 0.08 0.07 0.07 0.07 government expenditure

Source: Calculated by CLGF from section 9.3 and Barbados govt. budget estimates 2017/185.9

www.clgf.org.uk/barbados 27 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM IN Barbados COUNTRY PROFILE 2017–18

Annex 5a Summary of service provision in different spheres of government in Barbados

Delivering authority

Services National government Constituency councils Remarks GENERAL ADMINISTRATION Police n Fire protection n Civil protection n Criminal justice n Civil status register n Statistical office n Electoral register n EDUCATION Pre-school (kindergarten and nursery) Primary n Secondary n Vocational and technical Higher education n Adult education SOCIAL WELFARE Family welfare services n Welfare homes n Social security n PUBLIC HEALTH Primary care n Hospitals n Health protection n HOUSING AND TOWN PLANNING Housing n Town planning n Regional planning n TRANSPORT Roads n Transport n Urban roads n Urban rail n Ports n Airports n ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SANITATION Water and sanitation n Refuse collection and disposal n Cemeteries and crematoria Slaughterhouses n Environmental protection n Consumer protection n CULTURE, LEISURE AND SPORTS Theatre and concerts n Museums and libraries n Parks and open spaces n Sports and leisure n Religious facilities n UTILITIES Gas services n District heating n Water supply n Electricity n ECONOMIC Agriculture, forests and fisheries n Economic promotion n Trade and industry n Tourism n

n sole responsibility service n joint responsibility service n discretionary service

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