Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie says Chairman of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation Joel Williams is to continue as Mayor of May Pen.

He made the statement at this morning’s post-Cabinet press briefing in light of recent tension between PNP and JLP councillors in Clarendon over leadership of the corporation.

People’s National Party councillors insist that they should take control, based on the change in numbers following last year’s by-election.

Both the PNP and the Jamaica Labour Party have 11 councillors.

The PNP’s Delroy Dawson defeated the JLP’s Suzette Barton in the November 22 by-election last year.

However, JLP councillors remain adamant that the by- election did not change the leadership of the corporation.

Mr. McKenzie said he wrote to the Attorney General on the matter.

He said the Attorney General stated that in this case, the mayor in power before the election would remain in power following the election.

He stated further that the only change in the chairman would be a vote of no confidence by councillors, no later than 12 months after the last local government election.

The last local government election was staged February 26, 2024.

Mr. McKenzie points out that the mayor would also be able to vote on the no confidence motion.