1. Local Government in Jamaica
Key priorities

2. National Development & Local Priorities
Economic growth
Reform of Local Government

3. Local Government Reform Imperatives
Legal Framework
Financing Framework
Financial Management
Citizen Participation
Institutional Capacity
Management of Urban Centres
Local Economic Development

4. Implementation Stages
Policy – Ministry Papers (8/93, 7/03)
Consultative - National Advisory Council on Local Government Reform
Operational - Legal Framework, Revised Organisational Arrangements, Citizen Engagement Mechanisms
Institutional – Service Delivery, Accountability & Transparency, Institutional Capacity, Planning (Strategic & Local Sustainable Development Planning), Civic Order & Municipal Enforcement, Local Economic Development

5. Steps toward SDG implementation
Devolution of functions to Local Government
Legal responsibility of Local Authorities for sustainable development of their jurisdiction
Legal responsibility for Local Authorities to develop Local Sustainable Development Plans
Legal responsibility for Local Authorities to develop Local Economic Development Plans
Increased focus on the management of urban centres

6. Role of Local Government in localising SDGs
Advocacy for devolution of roles and functions on a basis of specific and objective criteria within a legislative framework
Responsibility for the coordination of groups at the local level who have specific responsibilities in SDG implementation
Local Governments must participate in the creation of performance monitoring and evaluation frameworks

7. Role of Local Government in localising SDGs (contd.)
Local Government must be strategic and proactive around accountability and transparency initiatives related to its sphere of operations
Local Government should identify within the context of the national and local culture, the most ideal mechanisms for civil society participation and lead on its activation

8. Enabling Factors for Local Government in SDG implementation
Strengthening the institutional capacity of local government institutions and local government structures, including civil society organisations
Increased collaboration among regional local governments and local government associations across a range of initiatives that are mutually beneficial

9. Enabling Factors for Local Government in SDG implementation (contd.)
Strong national local government associations are a prerequisite for sustainable regional associations
Strong local government associations promote strategic approaches to advocacy, build credibility among their membership and become strong networks for communicating and collaborating around common goals including SDG implementation

10. Potential support to Local Government in SDG implementation
Support in the identification of, through mapping, and the operation of stakeholder group/s that will provide oversight to implementation process – Do not reinvent the wheel
Integrate and localise where applicable, relevant public education initiatives on SDG implementation

11. Potential support to Local Government in SDG implementation (contd.)
Strengthen local government institutions and associations