Partners

The Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGAJ) is the representative organisation responsible for the interest and welfare of local government authorities. It also seeks to advance local government in general. Its membership is drawn from councillors and mayors of all 14 local authorities and it is comprised of six committees, namely: international relations; ethics, standards and discipline; economics and development; policy and reform; membership and training; and infrastructure and physical development.

The motion to Parliament seeking to incorporate ALGAJ into a legal entity reads as follows, quote “WHEREAS in or about the year 1920, the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica was established for the purpose of representing the interest and welfare of the Local Government Authorities in Jamaica, as established under the Parish Council Act and the Kingston and St. Andrew Act: and also to promote the interest of the elected representative of such Authorities and to advance the cause of the institution of Local Government in General”

The fact that the Association has been operating since then suggests that much would have happened to advance the cause for which it was established. The present state of the Organization, the social and economic status of Councillors and the state of Governance at the Local level indicate that several difficult and non-supportive experiences would have occurred over the years. It was to change this situation for the better that the Association was incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 2004.