EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INCOME

Transcription

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INCOME The total income earned by the Point Fortin Borough Corporation for the financial year 2013/2014 was Six Hundred and Six Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty Four Dollars and Twenty Four cents ($606,984.24). This earning is generally due to the collection of charges in respect of licenses, dues fees for services and rental. With the suspension by Government of the function of the collection of Property Rates and Taxes by Municipal Corporations in 2010, the income earning capacity of the organization continues to be negatively affected. The Corporation therefore, is wholly dependent on Government Subventions to provide services to its burgesses. It is therefore important that the collection of House Rates and Taxes be reinstated since these monies can and should be utilized for the advancement of the community. It is also a direct channel for the ultimate achievement of self-sufficiency. EXPENDITURE The Draft Estimates of Recurrent expenditure for the Point Fortin Corporation, in the sum of One Hundred and Twenty Five Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty Dollars and One Cent ($125,579,580.01) is submitted for your support and favourable consideration. The decrease from the previous year s estimate is due mainly as a result of completed projects within the financial year. Hereunder, is a brief justification for the requested subvention which will ensure effective and efficient management of the Borough of Point Fortin. Additionally, it will ensure that good governance is meted out to the burgesses of Point Fortin and its surrounding communities.

2 01 PERSONNEL EXPENDITURE The Personnel Expenditure takes account of the annual salary and wage bills of the Corporation s approved establishment and its Vacant Posts awaiting Cabinet s approval. The increase in Personal Expenditure is as a result of the under mentioned: 1) The increase in approved earnings and Statutory employees contribution and allowances to Municipal Police Officers. 2) The need for more manpower to execute the plans of the Corporation (i.e. strategically placed professionals and functionary officers in areas that include sports, culture and poverty alleviation.) 02 GOODS AND SERVICES An increase in the cost of Goods and Services in the sum of Twenty Six Million Dollars ($26M) is proposed mainly to incorporate increasing costs of goods and services. Major increases have been identified in short term employment, other contracted services, security services and material and supplies. It stands to reason that with more infrastructural development there comes an increase in maintenance cost and in some cases administrative costs. 001 GENERAL ADMINISTRATION 22 SHORT TERM EMPLOYMENT Along with the committed services executed by contractors and administration, there are other areas of services beyond the comfort level of performance by Administrative staff that require specialist intervention and in some cases outsourcing. Operating within the archaic organizational structure of the Point Fortin Corporation, this has become an important strategic tool, used to achieve objectives of the organization and in some instances conformance to proclaimed legislation. As such, achieving sustainability requires serious attention on the procurement of contracted services via Short Term Employment.

3 002 LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY 09 RENT / LEASE VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT The Guapo Landfill Site is critical to the South Western Peninsula, since all the waste generated within the Point Fortin and Siparia regions are disposed at that site. This site is owned and operated by the Point Fortin Corporation and has a monthly expenditure of approximately One Hundred and Nine Thousand Dollars ($109,000.00). The cost of operation is shared between Siparia Regional Corporation and Point Fortin Borough Corporation. It must be noted that Siparia Regional Corporation accounts for over 60% of the household garbage taken to the site. Funding is of paramount importance to ensure that the Guapo Landfill site is operated in an efficient and effective manner for the collection, disposal and treatment of waste, and to ensure that the desired public health and sanitation standards are achieved and maintained. It must be borne in mind that the site is receiving an increased volume of waste due to the housing development for public and private levels as well as increasing economic activities. 28 OTHER CONTRACTED SERVICES There exists the need to continuously place emphasis on the maintenance of the access roadway leading to and from the Guapo Landfill site. This has become necessary due to the utilization of the roadway by heavy equipment and vehicles augmented by adverse weather conditions. 003 UPKEEP TO PUBLIC PLACES The Point Fortin Borough Council has its thrust to sustainability in sports and culture collectively working together. As such, it is a goal of the Council to have both sports and cultural activities taking place simultaneously at the same venues. Particular attention is being placed on the upgrade and construction of recreation grounds within the Borough of Point Fortin. This is as a direct result of the Council s Strategic direction and initiatives to

4 utilize sports as a strategic tool to engage youths and thereby maintain a low crime rate within the Borough. Maintenance schedules and teams have been developed to ensure that the appropriate care is given to each recreation ground. The recreation grounds are as follows:- a) James Park b) Victor Chin Kit Park c) Coronation Park d) Fanny Village Recreation Ground e) Techier Recreation Ground f) Guapo Recreation Ground g) Sherwin Julien Recreation Ground h) Warden Road Recreation Ground i) New Village Recreation Ground Mahaica Oval The Mahaica Oval recreation ground is at the cog around which the Council s sports tourism strategy was developed. In 2010 the Corporation commenced the upgrade of the Mahaica Oval recreation ground. Phase 1 included the regrassing of the oval, the construction of the basketball court and the foundation, which is 80% completed. With the injections of funds for the first phase of the project, maintenance of the ground is of paramount importance and as such has been included in operational costs of the recreation ground. 22 Short Term Employment This is a new head under the sub item Upkeep to Public Places, created to facilitate the efficient maintenance of play parks and recreation grounds located within the Borough of Point Fortin. This aligns with the Corporation s efforts to provide green spaces aimed at encouraging social relaxation and sport tourism.

5 005 CORPORATION PROPERTIES Expenses under all Sub-items have been increased as the Corporation s new facilities, previously mentioned under Personnel Expenditure, become operational. i. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Surveillance Centre In keeping the with the Government s strategic priority placed on Crime and Law and Order enforcement, the Point Fortin Corporation developed its Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Surveillance Centre. This has effectively enhanced the monitoring capabilities of the Municipal Police and also supports the crime fighting efforts of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. It operates as a deterrent to criminal activities, and in the prevention of incidents. This Centre is staffed by operators who monitor the CCTV cameras. There has been an increase in expenditure as a result of retaining personnel for the centre. In addition, the need has arisen for the acquisition of shift supervisors to manage the operations of each shift, resulting in an additional increase in the total expenditure. Maintenance is a critical component as well as the availability of the metro services which facilitate the streaming of video coverage of the surveillance cameras. Hence funding for this initiative is of paramount importance. ii. iii. Point Fortin Community Swimming Pool The management of the Point Fortin Community Swimming Pool (its operations and facilities) was handed over to the Point Fortin Corporation by Atlantic with effect from October 1 st, Approaches are being made to create positions relevant to the management of the pool. Again a significant success factor will be the provision of the necessary funding to facilitate the staffing necessary to effectively manage the facility. Coronation Park Tennis Centre The Phase one (1) and Phase two (2) of this centre which allowed for the utilization of two (2) of the four (4) courts was completed in 2012 and 2013 respectively whilst the next phase in the construction of the Coronation Park Tennis Centre is scheduled to be commenced in the 2015/2016 Financial Year. The completed phase requires recurrent maintenance and requisite staffing.

6 04 CURRENT TRANSFERS AND SUBSIDIES 009 Other Transfers 03 - Sports Fund The corner stone of the Council s Strategic development in Point Fortin is focused towards Sport tourism, Culture and Education which is always an ongoing exercise. The sums being requested are to fund the entire management of sports as a strategic measure. Every sporting discipline is considered in our submission, whether existing or contemplated. All priority discipline has also been identified Borough Celebrations The Point Fortin Borough Anniversary celebrations are of international acclaim. Over the years it has continued to grow and is currently the largest cultural event in Trinidad and Tobago, second only to Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. This celebration is unique in its concept with the Panon-the-Move being the main event, drawing patrons from as far as North America. As a result it contributes to an increase in visitor arrivals to Trinidad and Tobago. The ripple effects are felt in the airline and travel industry and its other indirect components. The activities are opened to Trinidad and Tobago and promote educational opportunities to the schools within the region by exposing the children to various experiences such as the historic exhibition, School Debates and Chorale speaking. Other schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago are also exposed to music, sports and cultural events. The current challenge in managing the celebrations has been the lack of finances. Several attempts have been made for increased financing to manage the festival. An increase in administrative cost is expected for this financial period as a new and professional approach to sustain the celebration is proposed.

7 The Borough Day celebrations are significant to the people of the South Western Peninsula since most of the national celebrations are hosted outside of this region. Borough Celebrations, to the people of the South, is more than commemorative of Point Fortin becoming a Borough. It is a time of family re-union with the Point Fortin Diasporas. It allows for cultural expression and economic rewards through community tourism. It supports the Local Economic Development within the region making its sustainability a key success factor in the development of Point Fortin and by extension the South Western Peninsula. In conclusion, the Point Fortin Corporation is hopeful that the results achieved in sports, culture and education will communicate the success of its initiatives, thereby obtaining the much desired support via financing that is necessary to make Point Fortin the Preferred Place to Live, Work, Invest and Recreate. DONNAMAY TAYLOR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER