Urban municipal financing system of Barbados

Barbados is a parliamentary democracy. According to the Commonwealth Local Government Forum the eleven parishes are divided into thirty electoral districts each composed of a constituency council (CC) with local representatives chosen by the central government in charge of representing the concerns of the constituency’s residents, maintain relations with the central government and manage the resources assigned.

The constituency councils consist of eleven persons a chairperson and a treasurer, which are recommended by a committee of senior civil servants to the minister who ultimately makes the selection. Normally the persons elected are the ones that have community experience and are representative of interest groups. The CC cannot collect or raise revenue they only receive restricted transfer from the central government and have the capacity to manage these resources. 
 

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Financing instruments

Select the type of Financing instruments from the following list:
  • Intergovernmental transfers

    According to the Commonwealth Local Government Forum the CCs recieve annual transfers of BB100.0000 in forms of projects from the national government. The money is deposited in their central accounts once reports on spending are approved.  

Legal base

Territorial entity analyzed
1. Municipal
Recognized local autonomy

There is no local autonomy for the Constituency Councils. However, they can assist and manage the resources assigned to them.

Art. 4.

4. The purpose of each Council is to  (a) improve the delivery of social services to constituents; and (b) effectively and efficiently assist in the management of resources assigned for the development of each constituency within a framework of good governance.    ...

Art. 5.

5. (1) The functions f each Council are to  (a) build relevant databases with respect to the constituency in collaboration with other government department (b) to identify the priority needs of the constituency based on supporting data: (c) make recommedations to the Minister on program...

Own resources
Art. 6.

The expenses of each Council are to be defrayed out of (a) such money as may be voted for the purpose; (b) money arising from gifts, grants or donatios; (c) money becoming payable to or vested in each Council.   ...

Special regime
Taxation powers

Non applicable

Competences - Spending responsibilities
Art. 7.

The Funds of each Council shall be applied toward (a) the operating expenses of the Council; (b) payment of the Council’c programmes, activities, pojects, and specific expenses authorised by the Department; and  (c) such other purposes as are (i)    Necessary for th performance of the C...