The single island state of Barbados is institutionally divided into two districts, north and south, and further subdivided into 10 parishes and the capital city of Bridgetown. This subdivision is intended for administrative purposes, no local government exists in Barbados. In 1967 the local government council system of vestries was dissolved and replaced with an interim Commissioner for local government. In 1969 the interim Commissioner’s functions came to an end with the transfer of all local government functions to the two larger districts as well as the central government. The two districts are headed by elected councils and the capital of Bridgetown by a mayor and a city council. District elections are held parallel to national parliamentary elections. The most recent elections were organized in 2008 and its results are valid for a 5 year period. The next district elections are thus planned for 2013.
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When the functions and responsibilities of local government were centralized this also included centralization of the legal provisions pertaining to local government. As such the decisions concerning infrastructure, education and economic development and other policy fields connected to local issues are directed by central government before being implemented and executed locally. Tourism, agricultural diversification and attracting foreign investment are national crosscutting themes that are managed in a similar manner. Some institutions such as the Community Independence Secretariat, a youth parliament and the Barbados Association of Non-Governmental Organizations encourage community participation in the formulation and execution of national government policy.
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Partially due to the lack of integration of civil society organizations and local government institutions; policy making as well as development is predominantly nationally focused. Development policies aimed at local communities focus on reducing poverty and the empowerment of local businesses. The absence of local development schemes make private initiatives the most important source of local development in Barbados.
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