PERMIT CLASH
Kingston mayor slams centralised event approval system proposed by ministry
Published:Wednesday | September 10, 2025 | 12:12 AMTanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter
Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby is raising concerns over plans by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport to centralise the permit process for entertainment events across the island.
Addressing yesterday’s monthly sitting of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), Swaby criticised recent statements made by Entertainment Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange regarding the reintroduction of a national ‘One Stop Shop’ for event permits, a system that would route all applications through a central platform under the ministry’s oversight.
Swaby argued that the ministry’s approach risks duplicating systems that are already functioning effectively at the local government level.
“I find this troubling,” Swaby said. “The role of the ministry should be to guide policy. The day-to-day operations of processing and granting permits already falls under the mandate of local government authorities, which have the expertise and established systems in place.”
The mayor argued that the KSAMC has, in fact, been operating its own integrated permit review system for major events – a collaborative model involving the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), and other relevant agencies.
“We hold meetings with all the stakeholders at least three months before the event,” Swaby said. “We do site visits, look at structural integrity, ensure emergency access, and manage traffic. It’s not just about revenue; it’s about protecting patrons.”
Swaby noted that the system was first piloted during the staging of entertainer Vybz Kartel’s New Year’s Eve show in Kingston, and has since become a standard practice for large-scale events in the city.
“The feedback from promoters has been excellent. Since then (the New Year’s Eve concert), we’ve kept refining the process,” he said.
So far, he added, the new approach has seen a significant reduction in the length of time for permits.
Grange, during a recent contract signing event at her ministry’s New Kingston offices, had announced plans to reintroduce the centralised ‘One Stop Shop’ system piloted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The minister has also shared that she was in discussion with WiPay to conduct research and to examine all the touch points with the existing technologies, to streamline the application process by allowing promoters to submit a single digital application routed to all relevant agencies.
However, Swaby remains sceptical.
“I was a little bit surprised when I heard the minister making a statement about what they are doing. I have a difficulty with it because we have a system in place and I’m not saying it is perfect. There is obviously room for improvement.
“But, why not come to the table and help us to improve the system? Why would you want to take it away from the local authorities?” he questioned.
He warned that any attempt to bypass the municipal corporations would not only cause confusion but could undermine the legal framework governing the Places of Amusement Regulations and other local ordinances.
“Local government must be allowed to carry out its functions without unnecessary interference,” he asserted.
Swaby indicated that he would be seeking discussions with the new Cabinet, once confirmed by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, including with the ministers of local government and entertainment, to address the matter.
He added that he would also be reaching out to his colleague mayors across the country, in an attempt to gain support on the issue.