THE Corporation of Hamilton is "anachronistic and gives rise to serious concerns regarding accountability, transparency and legitimacy", according to the findings of an independent commission set up to examine the effectiveness of the authority.

The 45-page report, obtained by the Mid Ocean News this week, also slams Government for "arbitrary decision-making" through the awarding of Special Development Orders and questions why the Corporation has failed to take a more active role in the development of the City's Economic Empowerment Zone.

And it also warns that a city-wide revitalisation effort is needed to help city retailers, restaurants and nightspots who are struggling to survive - but that the Corporation "lacks the ability to effectively tackle the issues confronting the City".

The Commission was set up by former City Mayor Jay Bluck in 2006 and reconvened under new Mayor Sutherland Madeiros last year. It delivered its findings to Mayor Madeiros two months ago, although they have never officially been made public.

"The former and current Mayor considered it desirable to prepare a development strategy and action plan to respond to the development pressures currently facing the City," the report notes in its opening Terms of Reference.

Commission members were asked to review the 2001 City of Hamilton Plan, identify and assess management and development issues affecting the City, examine the effectiveness of the Corporation of Hamilton, and provide recommendations for action.

In its investigation into the Corporation, the Commissioners observed that:

There is no evidence of any corporate strategy or business plan that guides decision making "and it appears that much policy formulation/implementation is reactive and piecemeal".

There are questions "as to the legitimacy and accountability of the Corporation in view of the restrictions on voter eligibility, low turnouts at elections and the fact that the majority of Corporation members have been elected unopposed".

Continued on Page 8

The Corporation's structure "has developed organically over time and is ill-suited to managing modern Hamilton" and that "it does not have the staff with the vision and skills to deliver a revitalisation of the City.

The division between governance and administration is "blurred" and Corporation members tend to be "too involved in detailed day-to-day decisions".

There needs to be greater clarity on the role of Corporation members.

The Commission concluded: "The review by the Mayor's Commission has highlighted that there are serious challenges facing the City in the immediate future and in the longer term.

"Overcoming these issues will not be easy. To ensure success however, it is absolutely critical that the lead organisation has the resources, skills and commitment to achieve the desired results.

"First and foremost therefore, there is an urgent need to re-structure and re-focus the Corporation to establish an organisationi that is capable of meeting the challenges ahead it is imperative that the Corporation moves quickly to undertake the necessary review and bring about the required organisational change as soon as possible."

The Commission studied a number of other economic and developmental issues, including the building conservation, residential and high-rise development, the North Hamilton Economic Empowerment Zone, traffic congestion, the impact of tourism on the City, and the proposed Hamilton waterfront development.

The report noted that residential development within Hamilton could "take pressure off undeveloped land in the rest of Bermuda" and that the CIty was also "the logical location for taller buildings".

But it added: "There is a danger of creeping obsolescence of the 2001Plan as a result of a number of decisions taken by the Minister on appeal or Special Development Order in contravention of Plan policies.

"The lack of any explanation as to why polices in Plan are being set aside gives an impression of arbitrary decision-making. These precedent-setting decisions have resulted in the submission to the Planning Department of an increasing number of speculative proposals in which developers are ignoring established policies in the hope of exceeding current height limits. This is further complicated by the apparent lack of synergy between the Corporation and the Department of Planning resulting in the divergence of opinions on the merit of proposals for taller buildings."

The Commission also expressed concern at how new cruise schedules will impact the economy.

"Those cruise ships that have been regular callers to Hamiton are being phased out or diverted to markets elsewhere and new ships will be too big to enter the harbour.

"The loss of the regularly calling cruise ships poses perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing the City and the Corporation. Understandably many business people have expressed concern about the impact of the loss of these ships on the City's economy.

"The loss of the regularly-calling cruise ships is no doubt a blow to the City's economy. However, given the decisions that have already been taken by Government, the Corporation needs to accept the situation as the new reality and plan accordingly."

The report goes on to point out that, while cruise ship schedule changes "are likely to lead to a painful transition period", they will also bring many opportunities, including the regeneration of Hamilton's waterfront.

It expresses concern at the number of of service industries in the heart of the retail area, adding: "The City is considered by many to be rather staid and should offer a variety of entertainment options and be more exciting".

"There is a need for a city-wide revitalisation effort for this sector of the economy with the aim of developing, marketing an promoting business in the area. A particular focus of these efforts should be promoting Hamilton as a shopping destination for cruise ship passengers and ensuring adequate transportation facilities are available to encourage them to visit the City."

In its final conclusion, the report reads: "The strategic framework should recognise that the City of Hamilton is a part of Bermuda, not apart from Bermuda. The Commission believes that the complexities of managing the City require it to have its own administration separate from Government. However, there has been a tendency for it to be treated in isolation from the rest of the island. There is a need to integrate the development of the City into the fabric of the island more seamlessly. Consultation with strategic partners and stakeholders will be a key ingredient to making this happen."

The report concludes with a list of "action items", including;

The preparation of a marketing, promotional and events programme for the City.

A review of waterfront proposals and priorities.

The development of public safety initiatives.

A review of the 2001 City of Hamilton Plan

An assessment of the City's historic areas and listed buildings.

The preparation of a car and cycle parking programme.

The development of streetscape enhancements and pedestrian improvements.