November 12, 2026
Councillor Bell faces possible expulsion from St. Ann MC following breach related to wife’s gaming shop
Written byClement Reid
Councillor for the Beecher Town Division, Ian Bell, is facing possible temporary expulsion from the St. Ann Municipal Corporation, following reports of a breach relating to his wife establishing a gaming shop at the Ocho Rios Transportation Centre.
The Municipal Corporation is expected to vote next month on a resolution calling for Councillor Bell to be expelled for two months.
The notice of motion was laid before the Corporation today.
The resolution is among four actions being undertaken by the Corporation, arising from the report by the Integrity Commission, which outlined that Councillor Bell breached the standards of conflict-of-interest management expected of elected officials.
At today’s meeting of the Corporation, Chairman Michael Belnavis said pursuant to Section 44(1) of the Local Governance Act, 2016, Councillor Bell will be expelled for a limited time of two months for bringing the Corporation into disrepute.
He added that a formal reprimand of Councillor Bell will be pursued for his failure to withdraw and recuse himself from the Commercial Services Committee’s consideration of an application involving his wife, despite his personal interest in the matter and his knowledge of the proper procedure.
He said the third action is for Councillor Bell to be removed from the Planning Committee, as a further measure to reinforce accountability and protect the integrity of the Corporation’s decision-making processes.
The fourth action is for further consideration to be undertaken regarding the occupation of the gaming shop.
Mayor Belnavis said these actions are intended to restore confidence in the Corporation’s procedures, protect its assets and ensure that similar failures do not recur.
