Westmoreland Parish Council to get a new building

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Westmoreland Parish Council is finally set to have its own home, with plans now in place for the construction of a J$80 million municipal building, which will be located on Great George Street, Savanna-la-Mar. The ground-breaking ceremony is slated for November 27.

Savanna-la-Mar's mayor, Councillor Bertel Moore, told Western Focus that the council is now awaiting the award of the multi-million dollar contract to one of the six companies, which had responded to the tendering process, to move into the ground-breaking phase.

"This vital project is to be financed under the Equalisation Fund and through the efforts of the parish council," the mayor said. "This municipal building will be constructed on land adjacent to the police station."

For years, the parish council has been sharing a building with the Savanna-la-Mar RM Court. The relationship has been acrimonious at times as on one occasion, the court reportedly threatened the parish council with legal action as raised voices inside the council building filtered into the courthouse.

cramped for space

"We are cramped for space," said Moore. "We are in need of greater space to effectively accommodate our various offices. Our monthly meetings are held at the Anglican Church hall as we do not have a place to host it. So, we are in dire need of this building."

The new municipal building will house the mayor's parlour, deputy mayor's office, secretary manager's office, the financial office, the council chamber, among others.

"The Roads and Works Department, which is housed at Ricketts Street, will remain there ... . It will not be relocated," said Moore. "That office functions well from that location, so it will continue to operate from there."

The mayor further informed that the parish council is now awaiting the presentation, later this month, of two ambulances and two fire trucks purchased with funds that were secured from the government of Japan.

"An ambulance and a fire truck will be going to the Bethel Town area, which is really in need," said Moore. "An ambulance will be sent to the resort town of Negril and the remaining fire truck will be given to the Savanna-la-Mar Fire Department."