The Barbuda Local Government Act (c. 44) is an Act of the

Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda () consists of the King of Antigua and Barbuda, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Section 27 of the Constitution establishes the Parliament. Parliament has the authority to enact laws for Antigu ...

which legislated for the establishment of the

Barbuda Council The Barbuda Council is a local authority that manages the internal affairs on the island of Barbuda. The council has the authority to buy, acquire, hold, mortgage, and dispose of land and other property. It also possesses a common seal and per ...

. The Act is enshrined under section 123 of the

Constitution A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organization or other type of entity, and commonly determines how that entity is to be governed. When these pri ...

and can only be amended by Parliament with the consent of the Council.

Contents and history

The Act establishes the Barbuda Council, establishes the procedure on how members of the Barbuda Council are elected, and sets out the procedure on how the Council can create

by-laws A by-law (bye-law, by(e)law, by(e) law), is a set of rules or law established by an organization or community so as to regulate itself, as allowed or provided for by some higher authority. The higher authority, generally a legislature or some other ...

for the island.Section 19. The Act also establishes the legislative competence of the Barbuda Council, listing what topics the Council is permitted to make by-laws for. The Act also establishes that the national Cabinet may give direction to the Council, and establishes the duties of the Council that are subjected to the guidance of the Cabinet. The Act additionally establishes that all monies owed to the Council must be paid to the

Secretary A secretary, administrative assistant, executive assistant, personal secretary, or other similar titles is an individual whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, program evalu ...

, and that all payments by the Council shall only be made with the countersignature of the Council's chairperson. The Act has been an important discussion point during the Barbuda land crisis, and members of the Barbuda People's Movement have often cited the Act when advocating for the preservation of the Barbudan communal land system.

Relation to section 123 of the Constitution

In section 123 of the Constitution of 1981, it is stated that "There shall be a Council for Barbuda which shall be the principal organ of local government in that island" and "The Council shall have such membership and functions as Parliament may prescribe". In subsection 3, it is stated that House of Representatives may not pass a bill amending the Barbuda Local Government Act without the consent of the Council through a resolution. The

Senate A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

also may not change a bill passed by the House amending the Act without the Council signifying to the Clerk of the House of Representatives that the Council consents to the amendment. A bill amending the Act may also not be submitted to the

Governor-General Governor-general (plural governors-general), or governor general (plural governors general), is the title of an official, most prominently associated with the British Empire. In the context of the governors-general and former British colonies, ...

without a certificate from the

Speaker of the House The speaker of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body, is its presiding officer, or the chair. The title was first used in 1377 in England. Usage The title was first recorded in 1377 to describe the role of Thomas de Hung ...

References

{{Government of Antigua and Barbuda works Law of Barbuda Government of Barbuda Barbuda Council Local government in Antigua and Barbuda

Contents and history

Relation to section 123 of the Constitution

See also

References