Urban Development Corporation

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) was established by the Urban Development Act of 1968 and it plays a critical role in advancing Jamaica’s sustainable and holistic urban development. The main activity of the Corporation is to undertake urban and rural renewal, while safeguarding natural resources and promoting economic advancement in specific areas designated by the Government of Jamaica (GOJ).

During the 2025/26 financial year, the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) will continue to play a pivotal role in transforming Jamaica’s urban centres and rural towns. In alignment with its mandate for urban development, the UDC will advance several major projects, including the Hellshire Sewage Treatment Plant Expansion, Portmore Resilience Park, Kingston Harbour Walk, and the Montego Bay Southern Groyne. These initiatives aim to enhance infrastructure, promote environmental resilience, and improve public spaces.

The UDC forecasts a net surplus of $1,248.06 million for the budget year. To achieve its target, the UDC staff and Board must uphold strong corporate governance. Let’s take a look at their progress!

Indicators	Findings
Has a Board with requisite skills as per the Competency Profile
Current Chairperson is not sitting more than two (2) consecutive terms
Current Chairperson chairs no more than two (2) other public bodies
Has a Board with a minimum of 30% male members
Has a Board with a minimum of 30% female members
Current Board retains at least 3 members or one-third of the previous Board
Has a Board Charter
Has a Non-Executive Chair
Has a trained Corporate Secretary
Hosts Board training
Conducts Annual Board Evaluations
Ensures Board processes are executed
Ensures Board minutes are transmitted to the Permanent Secretary
Has an Information and Disclosure Policy
Has an internal auditor
Has an Audit Committee with clear terms of reference
Has an Audit Committee with three (3) or more members including a qualified accountant/persons possessing expertise in finance
Has an Audit Committee that does not include the Board Chair
Has an Audit Committee that excludes the Procurement Committee Chair
Has a Procurement Committee that rotates members every three (3) years
Has an independent Chair of the Procurement Committee (not chaired by the Finance Director)
Has Board procedures regarding procurement oversight
Has a trained Procurement Committee
Has an Annual Procurement Plan
Submits Annual Report to the Responsible Minister by July 31^st of the present year
Has an Annual Board-Approved Corporate Plan (must include strategic objectives, budget and work plan) by October 31^st of the present year
Ensures Annual Report is tabled in Parliament no later than July 31^st
Ensures Responsible Minister issues Statement of Corporate Expectation to the Board
Ensures the Chair and Responsible Minister meet at least twice yearly to discuss Agency performance and emerging issues
Has a Corporate Social Responsibility Framework including a Donations Policy
Has a Code of Ethics with conflict-of-interest provisions
Ensures staff is trained in the Code of Ethics
Has a Whistle Blowing Policy
Has an Enterprise Risk Management Policy

Indicators

Findings

Has a Board with requisite skills as per the Competency Profile

Current Chairperson is not sitting more than two (2) consecutive terms

Current Chairperson chairs no more than two (2) other public bodies

Has a Board with a minimum of 30% male members

Has a Board with a minimum of 30% female members

Current Board retains at least 3 members or one-third of the previous Board

Has a Board Charter

Has a Non-Executive Chair

Has a trained Corporate Secretary

Hosts Board training

Conducts Annual Board Evaluations

Ensures Board processes are executed

Ensures Board minutes are transmitted to the Permanent Secretary

Has an Information and Disclosure Policy

Has an internal auditor

Has an Audit Committee with clear terms of reference

Has an Audit Committee with three (3) or more members including a qualified accountant/persons possessing expertise in finance

Has an Audit Committee that does not include the Board Chair

Has an Audit Committee that excludes the Procurement Committee Chair

Has a Procurement Committee that rotates members every three (3) years

Has an independent Chair of the Procurement Committee (not chaired by the Finance Director)

Has Board procedures regarding procurement oversight

Has a trained Procurement Committee

Has an Annual Procurement Plan

Submits Annual Report to the Responsible Minister by July 31^st of the present year

Has an Annual Board-Approved Corporate Plan (must include strategic objectives, budget and work plan) by October 31^st of the present year

Ensures Annual Report is tabled in Parliament no later than July 31^st

Ensures Responsible Minister issues Statement of Corporate Expectation to the Board

Ensures the Chair and Responsible Minister meet at least twice yearly to discuss Agency performance and emerging issues

Has a Corporate Social Responsibility Framework including a Donations Policy

Has a Code of Ethics with conflict-of-interest provisions

Ensures staff is trained in the Code of Ethics

Has a Whistle Blowing Policy

Has an Enterprise Risk Management Policy

Indicators	Findings
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Indicators

Findings

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Urban Development Corporation

Mr L. Robert Honeyghan

Norman Brown

Dr. The Most Hon. Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP

Mrs Arlene Williams, CD, JP

Overview

Key Compliance Results