An agreement that will see the reconstitution of the Joint Task Force for Local Government Reform has been inked between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Robert Corbin.
The first meeting of the Task Force is slated for Monday in the boardroom of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
The PPP members on the reconstituted Task Force are Clinton Collymore, Co-Chairman, and members, Ganga Persaud and Navin Chandarpal.
The PNC/Reform members are Co-Chairman Vincent Alexander and member Basil Williams.
It is expected that the PNCR will name a third person to the Task Force.
At that meeting matters to be discussed include the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2007 and the Fiscal Transfers Bill 2007.
According to Co-Chairman Clinton Collymore, draftsmen in the Office of the Attorney General are applying the finishing touches to two other local government Bills - the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2007 and the Local Government Commission Bill 2007.
The former makes provision for changes in the method of electing local government councils and also provides for individuals to contest those elections.
At the moment, only political parties and independent groups can contest local government elections.
Constituencies are to be created in municipalities and neighbourhoods.
The constituency element will account for 50 per cent of the seats, while the proportional representation element will account for the remainder.
The Fiscal Transfer legislation sets out a formula which will allocate impartially to each local government organ, sums provided by the Budget for the local government sector.
While the general principle of the transfer is agreed on, details are still to be worked out.
The enabling Bill makes provision for a Formula to be contained in Regulations to the Bill.
The Local Government (Amendment) Bill makes provision for the overall reform of the local government system to make it more accountable and more responsible.
Certain powers now held by the Minister of Local Government will be devolved onto the various neighbourhood and municipal councils.
Under these changes, villages will be re-established and community councils will be established for the first time.
The Local Government Commission will assume certain powers currently being exercised by the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development.
The Guyana Elections Commission, as a major stakeholder, has been provided with copies of the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2007 for its scrutiny.