The Corporation of Hamilton has recommended to Government that every adult living in Hamilton be allowed to vote in City elections.

The elected members of the municipality also want to do away with aldermen, give the Mayor less power and get paid for their services.

The recommendations — drawn up by the Corporation's legislative committee after a review of the Municipalities Act 1923 — are contained in a report submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General's Chambers and could only be implemented if Parliament agreed to change the law.

Taxpayers in the capital have been sent a letter by Mayor Sutherland Madeiros this week urging them to pick up a copy of the recommendations at City Hall or visit www.cityhall.bm and submit feedback.

Corporation councillor Kathryn Gibbons, chairman of the legislative committee, told The Royal Gazette: "The legislative committee is pleased to have completed its months-long review of the Act and it has now been sent to Government for their consideration.

"Our suggested changes reflect our commitment to being more responsive and inclusive and to creating a municipal government better positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

"The expansion of the franchise and the constitutional reorganisation represent significant steps forward and bring the Corporation into closer alignment with other modern jurisdictions. We would like to encourage feedback from all those interested in the future of the Corporation and the City of Hamilton."

The Corporation began its review last autumn, several months before Government announced in the Throne Speech in February that it would look at amending the Municipalities Act. Government described the law, which also governs the Corporation of St. George, as outdated and not reflecting modern good governance.

Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque said yesterday: "A sub-committee of Cabinet considered the various issues surrounding this undertaking and its recommendations are presently being worked on within the Central Policy Unit of the Cabinet Office.

"It is expected that they will provide a further report for the consideration of Cabinet shortly."

Mr. Madeiros' letter says the Corporation's formal assessment of the Act was carried out to "determine what changes to the legislation were necessary to improve internal governance and allow greater responsiveness to the changing needs of the City's residents and visitors".

There are 406 people currently registered to vote in City elections, with just 75 of those categorised as residential and the rest classed as business.

But 725 residents of the City of Hamilton are registered to vote in general elections. The Corporation wants the franchise extended to allow all those resident in the capital and on the parliamentary register to be given a vote.

It also wants to see the number of councillors increased from five to eight and to get rid of the three alderman positions. A majority of six or more councillors would be able to override the Mayor if he refused to vote for a resolution or action, under the Corporation's recommendations.

• To send your views on the recommendations to the Corporation email act@cityhall.bm. The Royal Gazette also wants to know what you think. Email news@royalgazette.bm

What the changes would be:

The Corporation of Hamilton's recommendations for amending the law which governs the municipality include:

n Giving the vote in City elections to Bermudians and those with Bermudian status aged 18 and over living within the City's boundaries — a move likely to increase the electoral register by about 700 names.

n Giving proxy votes to all electors, other than nominees appointed to vote on behalf of an elector.

n Getting rid of the three aldermen and increasing the number of councillors from five to eight.

n Making the assent of a majority of councillors and the Mayor necessary for an act or resolution to be passed.

n Giving a "supermajority" of six or more councillors the power to override the Mayor's veto if he refuses to assent to an act or resolution.

n Making it mandatory for the Mayor to appoint a deputy and for a senior councillor to perform mayoral duties when the Mayor or his deputy are unable to.

n Paying the Mayor and councillors for their service.

n Holding separate municipal elections for the Mayor and councillor posts, staggered by one year, so that a councillor unsuccessful in his/her bid for higher office would not lose his seat as councillor.

n Holding elections to fill vacancies within 90 days.

n Making polling day not earlier than 14 days and not later than 17 days after nomination day.