KK-3-A-14 • Guyana attorney on regionalism law

TO: Hill

FROM: Mary Ruth

SUBJECT: INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW REGARDING REGIONALISM (FROM THE LEGAL PERSPECTIVE OF ERIC CLARKE)

1. Purpose of the act which the order falls under is to fulfill the same function for the North West District as town and country planning act does for these (Georgetown) areas, (e.g., extend buildings, erect new buildings, put garage in yard, concrete bridge, etc. – all must go through town and country planning).
2. He doubted that the necessary committees have been set up to look into these matters, but that the above is the purpose of the order. In other words, we could continue to build as we always have, until they ask us to do differently, but just like any city council, they have a measure of control over city planning. Of course, we should be able to petition to have at least two representatives sit in on the committees which will be formed as things get more organized up there. In other words, he said to continue as we were before.
3. He said that we are included in the act and he sought other opinions, and they seem to think more strongly that the act includes us. I would have to check further to get other opinions. It seems that there might be some question as to whether it applies to us or not, which means that I won’t be able to get any clear/cut answer.