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Local Government embodies Adaptability & Progress

From its origins in the colonial era to its contemporary evolution, the story of local government embodies adaptability and progress.

Our narrative commences in 1592 when Spanish settlers established the Royal Cabildo in St. Joseph, Trinidad. This governing body held extensive powers, overseeing a range of functions, including appointing judges, supervising markets, maintaining streets, managing the Royal Gaol, admitting physicians, and levying taxes on grog shops. Members of the Cabildo were elected annually, a pioneering form of local representation and governance.

With British rule in 1797, efforts were initiated to transition the Cabildo into an English-style municipality, culminating in its transformation into a Town Council and later a Borough Council. Subsequent legislative changes, civil unrest, and political shifts continued to mold local governance. In 1945, County Councils were established, laying the foundation for the contemporary system. The County Council Act No. 25 of 1967 introduced the electoral district system, Aldermen, and ministerial responsibility for local government.

14 Municipal Corporations

Today there are 14 Municipal Corporations. The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, headquartered at the historic Kent House, serves as the coordinating agency guiding Municipal Corporations and Special Purpose Enterprises. The Municipal Corporations Act No 21 of 1990 initially provided for 18 Municipal Corporations but was later amended to reduce the number to 14.

In 2004, the Ministry of Local Government published a Draft Policy Paper on Local Government Reform, emphasizing the need for more autonomy, decentralization, and enhanced citizen participation in local governance. Proposed reforms include legislative review, boundary redefinition, corporate restructuring, and operational improvements.

In August 2016, Cabinet approved the Draft Policy on Local Government Reform, shaped through extensive public consultations across the 14 Municipal Corporations. This policy envisions expanded responsibilities and greater autonomy for the Municipal Corporations, inspired by the Tobago House of Assembly model. Legislative amendments are in progress, poised to be presented before Parliament in the near future. These changes mark a significant stride in Trinidad and Tobago’s local governance, empowering communities, promoting autonomy, and enhancing responsiveness to residents’ needs. Join us on this journey through history and towards a brighter local government future in Trinidad and Tobago.