An announcement on the review of the Municipalities Act could be coming next week, says Mayor Charles Gosling.

The Mayor of Hamilton spoke at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce's annual general meeting yesterday and said his team was still looking to push forward reforms of the city's voting laws.

Mr. Gosling was asked to give an update on Government's review and said: "Anecdotal evidence, from what people have told us, is that there could be an announcement next week. It could be May 7, when the House of Assembly resumes.

"We think we are in a strong position but the one thing we do not want is Government to say 'you know what, this is too much of a political (hot) potato and we are stepping away from it, it can continue as before'. We want reform."

And he added they were hopeful the Government would work with Hamilton's municipality to reform the laws.

"When rightly challenged by Government in their 2008 Throne Speech, promising a review of the Municipalities Act 1923, we proposed a reform plan, the cornerstone of which would expand the franchise so that all residents of Hamilton get a vote in their local community — regardless of property status," he said.

"It's something that our team is committed to. It's something that the people overwhelmingly want. And it's something that Government has said it wants to do.

"Given that this is a common goal, I truly hope that Government and the Corporation can come together soon to get this done. It's the right thing to do, it's the kind of real reform that everyone can agree on and believe in."

Earlier this year, Government announced local firm Attride-Stirling & Woloneicki and McKenna, Long & Aldridge of the US were hired as consultants to prepare Cabinet a detailed review of all aspects of the corporations of Hamilton and St. George. It was expected that the review would be complete in June this year.

Government pledged to overhaul the municipalities in the 2008 Throne Speech, saying their framework was outdated and they did not reflect modern good governance.

Mr. Gosling has already stated he believes Government plans to dissolve the Corporation of Hamilton, and has received a letter from Cabinet Minister Walter Roban stating: "The Government is committed to the repeal of the Municipalities Act 1923."

Yesterday, Minister Zane DeSilva, who is responsible for the review, did not respond to questions about how the review was progressing and whether an announcement was coming next week.

Mayor Gosling added that since his team won the last city election they have made City Hall more transparent.

They now publish annual budgets so voters know how their money is being spent and hold town hall meetings.

They also hold open board meetings and open committee meetings on agenda-specific items so people can inform or question them on matters of importance.

He added: "We ran on a platform that included open government and good governance. I believe we are doing what we were elected to do."