MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Mayor of Mandeville Donovan Mitchell says, effective October 1, delinquent businesses in this south-central parish will be targeted in a clampdown on non-compliance among establishments and operators.

“The tax office, our municipal police, our building officers, and of course, the Jamaica Constabulary Force will be out there giving support to make sure that businesses are compliant and doing what they need to do,” Mitchell told journalists last Wednesday.

“I know that there are some barbers and some hairdressers, even up to last Tuesday, about 13 of them were here [municipal office], which we have not recommended, because they are lacking in some things,” he added.

He outlined that there are requirements that need to be met by operators of bars.

“You see, for example, when you are operating a bar you should have somewhere to wash your glasses and another sink to wash your hands. We are checking on those things, because we are getting a lot of complaints from the public that some of these things are not being done and in this time we need to make sure that the public health of this parish is protected. People are quarrelling and we just need to do the right thing; if you are operating a business, do it within the law,” he said.

He added that tax compliance checks will also be done.

“People just don’t think that some things they need to pay taxes for. What people don’t understand is that you don’t just look about an amusement licence when you are having a party. Anywhere you have a place that keeps a function, you just need to have that place registered for a year,” he said.

“There are some people putting up billboards around the town without even reference to the council, so the compliance team will be out as of October 1, which is Tuesday morning, in full force,” added Mitchell.