What is the difference between the local and the central government in Jamaica?

Answer 1

Jamaica has a parliamentary system of government similar to that in the UK. As in Britain, this system vests almost unchecked power in a parliamentary majority. However, Jamaica, again like the UK, does have local government bodies, called Municipal Corporations, in 12 Parishes and 2 incorporated cities. Corporations consist of elected representatives elected on a first-past-the-post system. There is a Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (https://www.localgovjamaica.gov.jm/roles-and-functions/) that oversees local government bodies.

Parish councils are responsible for some tasks that would be familiar to students of US-style local government. So public health, water and sanitation, maintenance of minor roads, licensing, firefighting, and some features of the public welfare system are administered by the local government. There was a constitutional amendment in 2016 that appears to have given more autonomy to these bodies. (http://www.clgf.org.uk/default/assets/File/Country_profiles/Jamaica.pdf)