RAFHAA': The head of the Municipality Council in the Northern Border Province has said that proposals have been made for the financial and administrative independence of municipalities from mayoralties. Majid Al-Mutliq said that the idea has been tabled by committees set up to discuss the work of municipality councils and produce proposals. “We hope that the request can be achieved,” he said. “It would involve separate staff to help the council carry out its consultative, supervisory and executive duties with the required tools for its comprehensive monitoring role and to assert its independence.” Al-Mutliq said at a recent meeting in Al-Baha that the “clash between some mayoralties and councils is a fact”, but that they were due to “individuals and their understanding of what is asked of them in terms of their work which should be complementary and not confrontational”. Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, a member of the Al-Baha Municipal Council, said, however, that the idea was “not feasible at the current time”. “It would be a new system requiring new management staff, employees and its own budget,” he said. “The state may intend to take this course, but the issue requires proper study. Changing the poor impression and dissatisfaction the public has of the work of municipal councils requires understanding from the public. The councils work and organize, but come up against the regulations of the mayoralties, making it difficult to observe any quick or tangible accomplishments due to financial and administrative difficulties.” Al-Ghamdi said that councils should promote their achievements on the Internet so the public can see the efforts being made and have their enquiries met with transparent responses.
