Welcome To Our Administration

View our admin leaders and contact for support

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Welcome To Our Administration

View our admin leaders and contact for support

Learn More

WELCOME TO OUR
ADMINISTRATION

View our admin leaders and contact for support

Learn More

Welcome To Our Administration

Here you will find nothing less. than the extra ordinary

Learn More

Welcome To Our Administration

Here you will find nothing less. than the extra ordinary

Learn More

Welcome To Our Administration

Here you will find nothing less. than the extra ordinary

Learn More
KSAMC administration headed by town clerk

Six Main Administrative 
Departments At The KSAMC

Town Clerk

Technical Services Division (City Engineer)

financial Management and Accounting (City Treasurer)

Office Of the mayor

Inspection Enforcement and Security (City Inspector)

Community Welfare and Municipal Services (Poor Relief)

Departments in the kingston & st. andrew municipal corporation

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Chief Executive Officer (Town Clerk)

The department is headed by Town Clerk, Mr. Robert H.P Hill, JP , who is the Chief Executive Officer and one of (4) statutory heads of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC). The City Engineer has full responsibility for all civil, structural and building works throughout the Kingston Metropolitan Region (KMR) and is expected to deliver high quality services that are reasonably priced and responsive to the needs of residents and the communities of the Municipality.
 
The following are the  powers and scope of responsibilities of the City Executive Department:

  1. Head of the Administrative arm of Council & Chief Adviser to His Worship, The Mayor
  2. Provide the necessary leadership & oversight of all key responsibilities of the KSAMC with support of the Senior Management team & staff
  3. Manage & oversee major projects with necessary Senior Management & Technical support
  4. To ensure that the legal, statutory and other provisions governing or affecting the running of the Council are observed and to ensure that the Council is in compliance with all rules, regulations and applicable laws governing the Council
  1. To ensure the preparation of estimates of income and expenditure for each coming financial year, such estimates form the basis for the annual budget, when approved by the Council, and the basis for the precept to be submitted to the Honorable Minister of Local Government.
  2. To advise the Council as to the requirements of new legislation and to ensure compliance with approved Standing Orders of the Council.
  3. To prepare and develop with the Council, policies, strategies and business objectives.

Chief Financial Officer (City Treasurer)

The City Treasurer’s Department provides Financial and Accounting Services for the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC).  A major function of the department is the preparation and presentation of the Annual Revenue and Expenditure Budget of the Corporation for approval.The department is headed by the City Treasurer who is charged with the responsibility for Control of the approved budget.  This includes inter alia collecting and accounting for all moneys payable to the KSAC inclusive of Fees from – Building and Subdivision approvals, Places of Amusement License, Signs and Billboards, Trade Licenses, Barbers and hairdressers, Vending and markets operations, Real Estate Leases, Operating of Municipal Car Parks and Motor Vehicle Impounding;

The passing for payment of all bills for goods and services provided to the KSAC by its creditors and contractors; the payment of salaries and wages in accordance with personnel directives; the remittance of personal and statutory deductions to relevant agencies; the preparation and submission of Annual Statutory Returns to relevant agencies; the preparation and submission of Annual Final Accounting Statements to the Auditor General, as well as interim monthly reports to the Finance Committee of the KSAC.  The department is also responsible for collecting and accounting for funds received for special projects being executed by the KSAC on behalf of other Agencies, these funds include funds originating from the Constituency Development Fund.

Financial Management & Budgeting
  1. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  2. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  3. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  4. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  5. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  6. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  7. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  8. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  9. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  10. In house assessment to ensure conformity with accepted planning standards e.g., zoning, density, setbacks, access, parking, layout, sewage disposal
  11. Collaboration with other agencies e.g. NEPA, NWA, Fire Department. It is mandatory that certain applications are referred to certain agencies
Revenue
  1. 0 lots and over, sent directly to NEPA which will be considered at Subdivision Committee and recommendations sent to KSAC than be reviewed and presented to Building and Town Planning Committee
  2. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  3. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  4. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  5. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  6. 9 lots and under – site visit, in house assessment, circulation to all relevant agencies, consideration at meeting of Technical Committee chaired by the Director of Planning, recommendations made to Building and Town Planning Committee with conditions
Operational Procedures – Subdivision
  1. 0 lots and over, sent directly to NEPA which will be considered at Subdivision Committee and recommendations sent to KSAC than be reviewed and presented to Building and Town Planning Committee
  2. 9 lots and under – site visit, in house assessment, circulation to all relevant agencies, consideration at meeting of Technical Committee chaired by the Director of Planning, recommendations made to Building and Town Planning Committee with conditions
  3. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  4. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  5. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site

Planning Department

The Department is responsible for processing Planning Applications with respect to developments (buildings and subdivisions), modification of restrictive covenants and enforcing breaches of the Planning regulations.

The KSAC is the Local Planning Authority for Kingston & St. Andrew and has responsibility to enforce Planning laws and regulations within its jurisdiction. Planning within the Municipality is guided by the following main pieces of legislations:

  1. The Town and Country Planning Act
  2. The Town & Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) Regulations
  3. The Town & Country Planning (Kingston) (Confirmed) Development Order
  4. The Local Improvements Act
  5. The Town & Country Planning Kingston & St. Andrew and the Pedro Cays (Provisional) Development Order
  6. The Manual for Development and Investment, Jamaica

The Department is comprised of a Director, Planning Officers and support staff. The main functions are summarized as follows:

  1. To promote the sustainable  social, physical and environmental development of KSA
  2. To facilitate the sustainable  development of land and resources
  3. To ensure that developments are in conformity with environmental management, public health, public safety and disaster mitigation standards and guidelines, and international best practices
  4. To manage the development applications process to ensure applications are dealt with speedily and efficiently
  5. To ensure that citizens adhere to development regulations
Operational Procedures – Development Applications

The Planning Department processes applications made under the Town & Country Planning Act for the following:

  1. New erection/construction
  2. To do additions/alterations/modifications to existing structures
  3. To do additions/alterations/modifications to existing structures
  4. To erect advertising signs
  5. If refused, applicant has the right to appeal to the Minister in charge of planning

The Department also processes applications for subdivision of land under the Local Improvement Act.

Change of Use and Retention of Use
  1. These are decided on by the TCPA as set out by Section 12 of the TCP Act 1957.
  2. Applications submitted through the KSAC and our recommendations are sent with application to the TCPA
  3. TCPA on making a decision advises KSAC and the applicant
  4. Any modification or addition has to be approved by KSAC
Modification of Restrictive Covenants

Legal documents served on the KSAC are vetted for accuracy.
In-house records are checked to see whether any approvals were granted. These are then matched against the information contained in the Claim (legal document).
A site inspection is conducted to verify the information contained in the Claim documents and to provide information for the decision making process.
After the decision has been made, the Registrar (Supreme Court) and the applicant’s attorneys are advised.

Enforcement

The Department conducts enforcement with respect to breaches of the Town &Country Planning Act. The process involves confirming breaches, notifying persons of the breach and timelines to cease the activity/breach. Where there is no compliance, the matter is escalated and brought before the Supreme Court.

Defendants,if found guilty, are liable to a fine or imprisonment or both. If found incontempt of court, a defendant could also lose his/her property to the Crown.

Chief Engineering Officer

The department is headed by City Engineer, Mr. Xavier Chevannes who is the Chief Technical Officer and one of (4) statutory heads of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAMC).The City Engineer has full responsibility for all civil, structural and building works throughout Kingston & St. Andrew and is expected to deliver high quality services that are reasonably priced and responsive to the needs of residents and the communities of the Municipality.
 
The following are the  powers and scope of responsibilities of the City Engineer’s Department:

Laws and Regulations Governing The Department
  • National Building Act, 2018
  • Town & Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) Regulations Act
  • The Local Improvements Act
  • The Advertisements Regulation Act
  • The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation Act
  • The Parochial Roads Act
  • The Town Nuisances Prevention Act
  • The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation Building Act
Sections in The Department
  • Building Section
  • Roads and Works Section
  • City Engineer’s Administrative Office
Functions of The Department
  • To carry out the responsibilities given to the Council in law under the Development Order through the Town and Country Planning Act.
  • To deal with matters concerning roads, approved programme for construction works including gullies, drains,  municipal buildings, properties and  the award of contracts.
  • The City Engineer, as the Chief Technical Officer, provides recommendations  regarding disasters that may occur, such as hurricane damage, flooding and structural issues. He/she also advises and makes recommendations on all buildings, town planning and subdivision applications submitted to the Local Authority, as well as on roads, gullies, drainage works, building development and designs.
Services Provided by The Department
  • Development approvals and monitoring
  • Investigation and enforcement of building breaches
  • Monitoring and control of derelict and dangerous structures.
  • Municipal properties
  • Advising on municipal equipment.
  • Roads, drains and associated infrastructure
  • Processing of billboard applications.

City Inspector (Municipal Police & Traffic)

Inspection
  1. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  2. In house assessment to ensure conformity with accepted planning standards e.g., zoning, density, setbacks, access, parking, layout, sewage disposal
Enforcement
  1. lots and over, sent directly to NEPA which will be considered at Subdivision Committee and recommendations sent to KSAC than be reviewed and presented to Building and Town Planning Committee
  2. 9 lots and under – site visit, in house assessment, circulation to all relevant agencies, consideration at meeting of Technical Committee chaired by the Director of Planning, recommendations made to Building and Town Planning Committee with conditions
  3. Majority of applications are 9 lots and under
Security
  1. Site inspection to ascertain appropriateness of proposal in terms of surroundings and to ensure accuracy of site
  2. In house assessment to ensure conformity with accepted planning standards e.g., zoning, density, setbacks, access, parking, layout, sewage disposal
  3. Collaboration with other agencies e.g. NEPA, NWA, Fire Department. It is mandatory that certain applications are referred to certain agencies
  4. Recommendation with conditions to the Building and Town Planning Committee
  5. If refused, applicant has the right to appeal to the Minister in charge of planning

Poor Relief/Social Care/Welfare Services

The Poor relief Department is the welfare arm of the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation with the mandate to relieve destitution among citizens living in Kingston and St.Andrew. In keeping with the Poor Relief Act, assistance is offered to the most vulnerable members of the society, particularly the very poor who require not only the input of the government but that of its partners; non-government organizations, the business sector, faith-based organizations, the community and the general public.

Poor Relief motto

“Show you care, Do your share”.
Poor Relief mission statement

To serve as a catalyst for our clients by alleviating destitution in order to improve their standards of living and enhance their quality of life through counselling, rehabilitation and the use of available resources.

Eligibility

The persons entitled to relief in any parish are the persons within the parish who are wholly destitute of the means of subsistence and are unable to work because of physical or mental causes.

The established schedule of Poor Relief Officers for the Kingston & St. Andrew Municipal Corporation is:
 1 Inspector of Poor, 2 Deputy Inspector of Poor , 2 Senior Inspector of Poor , 8 Assistant Inspector of Poor. There are thirteen (13) zones.

Service Offered

Outdoor services – These are cases relating to persons who are eligible for Poor Relief assistance and can cope outside of an institution. Persons on the outdoor registered poor roll (adults & children) are entitled to an allowance and other basic necessities such as; clothing, bedding, medical attention,nutritious diet, shelter, school appliances, transportation and burial assistance. Outdoor programmes offered by Poor Relief are listed below:

  1. Homelessness and Shelter Care Programme
    The Poor Relief Department operates the Marie Atkins Night Shelter to assist the homeless population in Kingston and St. Andrew. The night shelter is set up as a temporary residence for street persons. Programmes are put in place to offer rehabilitation and reintegration through exposure to social intervention programmes and possibly employment.
  2. Education Assistance & Care of Poor Children
    To break the cycle of poverty, the department has reorganized its mission to focus more on the “Education of Poor Children”. Education assistance for the registered poor children include the provision of school fees, examination fees, books, lunch money, bus fare and uniforms (shoes, bags, etc.).
  3. Indigent Housing Programme
    Some clients are eligible for assistance with rental costs and in some cases home repairs. This is to help poor people improve their living conditions. Some examples of home repairs provided through the housing programme is with the purchasing of materials such as cement, zinc, windows, doors, water tanks,toilets, etc.
  4. Feeding Programme
    Food items are often distributed to needy and destitute persons (registered poor& temporary poor) within Kingston and St. Andrew.
  5. 5.Burial Assistance
    The Poor Relief Department helps to soften the sorrow suffered by family members by providing both moral and financial support during their time of grief. This service can be accessed by both the registered and temporary poor population.

Disaster Management Unit

The Disaster Management Unit is responsible for the implementation of actions, programmes, projects and Disaster Risk Management initiatives of the KSA Parish Disaster Committee.  The roles of the unit includes the monitoring of hazards/ disasters within the municipality, preparation of community and parish disaster risk management plans, public education for the citizens on hazards and disaster risk management activities, coordinating relief activities,conducting simulation exercises and establishing emergency shelters.  The Unit is headed by the Parish Disaster Coordinator who is the designated operational officer under the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2015 Section 20 (2)(a).  

Purpose of the Parish Disaster Committee
  1. To strengthen the Disaster Risk Management capacity of the municipality
  2. To develop the local response mechanisms within the framework of the National Disaster Risk Management Council
  3. To sensitize and train community leaders/ volunteers on community resiliency
  4. Efficient planning, organisation, direction and control processes aimed at risk analysis and risk reduction, adverse event management and post disaster recovery.

Glossary of Warning Words

Flash Flood:
 This is a flood event that occurs with little or no warning where water levels rise very quickly.

Flash Flood Watch: This means that a flash flood is possible in the area and citizens should be on the alert and be ready to take action if flooding is observed or a warning is given.

Flash Flood Warning: This means that flash flooding is imminent or has been reported. Residents in low-lying areas should be on the alert for fast-rising waters and get ready for immediate action. Motorists and pedestrians are advised not to attempt to cross flooded streets, roads, low bridges or fording.

Gale Warning: This is a warning of sustained winds within the range of 63 km/hr – 87 km/hr.

Hurricane Season: This is the portion of the year from June 1 to November 30 having high incidence of hurricane activity.

Hurricane: This is a warm core tropical cyclone in which maximum sustained surface winds are 119 km/hr or greater.

Hurricane Watch: The first alert when a hurricane poses a possible, but yet uncertain threat to a coastal area. It means, therefore, that you must start preparing by purchasing necessary supplies and securing your home.

Hurricane Advisory: Messages issued by the National Meteorological Service giving a description of the storm, its possible anticipated movement and prospective threat.

Hurricane Center or “Eye”: The relatively calm area in the center of a hurricane with light winds and clouds and warm temperatures.The eye is bordered by the maximum winds of the hurricane and torrential rains. 

Hurricane Warning:
 This means that hurricane conditions will affect the island within 24 hours. These conditions include sustained winds of 119 km/hr or higher and/or dangerously high water.

Small Craft Warning: When a hurricane, tropical storm or tropical depression threatens an area, small crafts are advised to remain in port or not to venture into open sea. Sometimes the hurricane may be a few hundred kilometers from the coast.

Storm Surge: A great dome of water often as much as 80 km wide that sweeps across the coastline near the sea. The surge is the most dangerous past of the hurricane.

Tropical Depression: A system in which the maximum sustained surface wind is 63km/hr.

Tropical Disturbance: A moving area of thunderstorms of tropical origin that maintains its identify for 24 hours or more.

Tropical Storm: A storm in which the maximum sustained surface winds is 63-117 km/hr.Tsunamis: Tsunamis are ocean waves produced by earthquakes or underwater landslides.   The word is Japanese and means “harbour waves”, because of the devastating effects these waves have had on low-lying Japanese coastal communities. Tsunamis are often incorrectly referred to as tidal waves, but a tsunami is actually a series of waves that can travel at speeds averaging 450 (and up to 600) miles per hour in the open ocean. 

Membership of the Parish Disaster Committee
  1. The Custos - Honorary Chairman
  2. The Mayor - Chairman
  3. Chief Executive Officer - Municipal Corporation
  4. The Parish Disaster Coordinator
  5. The Parish Councillors
  6. The Senior Police Officer (Area 4 and Area 5)
  7. The Senior Fire Brigade Officer (Superintendent KSA Division)
  8. The Senior Medical Officer at the Hospital (KPH, VJH, BCH)
  9. The Senior Medical Officer of Health
  10. The Inspector of Poor
  11. The Chief Engineering Officer
  12. The Parish Managers for Public Utilities (JPS, NWC, etc.)
  13. The Parish Managers of Central Government entities
  14. Representatives of Service Clubs and Voluntary Organizations
  15. Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Private Sector
  16. Representatives of HAM / CB Clubs
  17. Representative of JIS
  18. Parish Manager - Ministry of Labour and Social Security

Department Committees

PUBLIC HEALTH & DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

This Committee deals with all matters concerning Public Health and disaster mitigation and assistance.

Commercial Services

This Committee is responsible for all matters relating to Markets, Car Parks and Car Pounds.

COUNCIL

This is the policy and decision making body of the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation.

Civic and International Community Affairs and Public Relations

This Committee manages all matters concerning Civic Improvement and general public affairs.

Finance

This Committee is in control of all financial matters, examines and passes vouchers for payments by the Corporation and prepares estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.

Poor Relief

This Committee is responsible for exercising all the functions, powers and duties of the Council by virtue of the provision of the Poor Relief Act, subject to the restrictions and conditions.

Road and Traffic

This Committee is in control of all matters concerning Roads, Approved Programmes for reconstruction work, including roads, gullies, drains, and Municipal Buildings as well as matters concerning street names and numbers.  It also deals with all matters relating to traffic, public transport, public parking places and street lights.

Procurement

This Committee deals with all procurement of goods, services and works and to ensure that the procurement guidelines are adhered to in order to facilitate transparency, objectivity and integrity.

Establishment

This Committee is responsible for all matters relating to appointment, promotion, training, transfer, termination of appointment and award of scholarship for all officers of the Kingston & St. Andrew Corporation and matters pertaining to other staff not provided for in the Municipal Services Commission Act and establishment , except discipline.

General Purpose

This Committee initiates policies affecting the administration of the affairs of the Municipality to recommend the adoption of such policies to the Council and to see to their implementations when adopted.  It also keeps under constant review, the work and functions of all Committees and the administration of the affairs of the Municipality, and where necessary places before the Council recommendations to achieve and maintain a high standard of efficiency.

Building & Town Planning

This Committee deals with Building Applications, Applications for Subdivision of private lands, Housing Schemes and matters related thereto; and to exercise all the powers exercisable by the Council by virtue of the provisions of the Building Act and the Regulations made thereunder; the Local Improvements Act and the Regulations made thereunder; and the Housing Act; also such sections of the Town Nuisances Prevention Act as refer to dangerous buildings.