What are parish councils all about?

THE MANAGEMENT of parish councils is the most critical responsibility within a nation – and the most mishandled. Until it is fixed, we will not have any growth. There needs to be greater insight and forecasting. We need a city centre – a fully computerised, one-stop shop where information can be given on:

HOW TO START UP A BUSINESS

Zoning (so that there is not an abundance of one kind of business in one place)

List of most-needed businesses in the city/town

List of health facilities available in the city/town

It must be run with proper order and good logistics.

TRAINING

In order to have an effective nation, both local and central governments need to set up training for: Community representatives Political representatives

Church and the youth in areas of governance Management Budgeting Solution resource areas Family matters and parenting Servant leadership Integrity Identifying and nurturing talents in arts and entertainment at a young age (not just when they get popular)

The lecturers for these programmes should be drawn from both local and international sources.

Government should ensure that for every international investor that has decided to set up business within the nation, there must be a clause within their contract that stipulates that 10 per cent must be given to develop the youth within the community – youth training centres.

Every community should have a sports clinic, a school for inventors, and a facility for those who want to study mathematics, science, and marine biology.

There also needs to be a clause in business contracts that the majority of those employed must be locals. Furthermore, at least 20 per cent of their managerial staff must be locals.

If we don’t start getting serious on this issue, then there will be chaos ahead. Everybody else is putting their nation first, why can’t we?

Our people are tremendously creative at putting training ads together, and we need to capitalise on that in our effort to bring our people up to date on pertinent issues such as what the Budget entails, the function of local government, and other important national matters to make our people at least knowledgeable for the building of our nation.

Additionally, the private sector needs to channel more of its resources and give more of its assistance logistically rather than wasting money on campaigns during the election season.

Community policing, mentorship, and certain skills training start within the local community at the parish council level, so there is need for reformation, that the culture be changed, and that the level of government be respected.