The Local Governance Act - Jamaica

(1) Subject to subsection (2), a Local Authority is responsible for the following functions –
(a) the carrying out of designated local services and the regulatory oversight of specified local economic and social activities; 
(b) promoting, spearheading and coordinating local sustainable development; 
I ensuring good civic order and undertaking such civic and cultural events as are deemed appropriate; 
(d) identifying, mobilizing, collecting and optimizing sources of revenue that are available to Local Authorities to finance their operations and service delivery mandates, and allocating and utilizing such resources to meet the priority needs of inhabitants within the area of its jurisdiction; 
I spearheading, fostering and promoting economic and social development, cultural advancement, alleviation of poverty and environmental protection of all districts and communities within the area of its jurisdiction, through – 
(i) the preparation, adoption and implementation of local sustainable development plans for the entire area within its jurisdiction or such selected districts or communities therein as it considers desirable; 
(ii) initiating and participating in urban renewal, rural and community development, poverty alleviation programmes and schemes within the area of its jurisdiction; 
(iii) adopting a consultative approach in pursuing and undertaking activities related to sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii); 
(f) engaging in disaster preparation, mitigation, and recovery, as well as emergency management and responses, within the area of its jurisdiction; 
(g) encouraging and facilitating effective coordination and collaboration between bodies or entities that are within the public, private and non-governmental sectors and that exist or operate within the area of its jurisdiction, to ensure greater or better synergy, service delivery and responsiveness to the needs, concerns and priorities of inhabitants within the area of its jurisdiction; 
(h) contributing to and coordinating the preparation and execution of national development plans and initiatives that are linked with broad national objectives; 
(i) developing, implementing and monitoring plans and programmes to maintain and enhance civic order and enforce civic laws; and 
(j) providing such other services and things as it considers necessary or desirable for all or part of the area within its jurisdiction.

Subject to following subsections (2), a Local Authority is responsible for the following functions–
b) Promoting, spearheading and coordinating local sustainable development; 
e) Spearheading, fostering and promoting economic and social development, cultural advancement, alleviation of poverty and environmental protection of all districts and communities through–
       i) the preparation, adoption and implementation of local sustainable development plans for the 
        entire area within its jurisdiction or such selected districts or communities therein as it considers    
        desirable
       ii) initiating and participating in urban renewal, rural and community development, poverty
        alleviation programmes and schemes within the area of its jurisdiction;
 

Subject to subsection (5), each Council of a Municipal Corporation or City Municipality may, in respect of the area within its jurisdiction – 
(a) make by-laws for the regulation of its own proceedings, and of its committees, and for the regulation, management, use and upkeep of any public buildings, institutions, gardens or property, now or hereafter vested in the Council; and 
(b) generally make rules and regulations for carrying out and giving full effect to any of the provisions of this Act.