The major aim of this research is to assess the extent to which the structures and processes by which to deliver local government services have been modified from the pre-independence period to 2008 in the case of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies.

1. The extent to which local government structures and processes have been modified from 1800s to 2008.
2. The extent to which these arrangements have been dictated by:
   1. political considerations
   2. social and environmental considerations.

The paper argues that while there may have been expansion in the number of constituencies overtime, there has been little reforms in the structures, roles and responsibilities of local government bodies. It contends that there has been relatively little change in the power arrangement between the central and local government authorities. The paper concludes by advancing a number of reasons for the lack of reform which has taken place so far. It also assesses the structures proposed by the Green Paper on Local Government reform 2008.

• use of historical documents;
• reports
• papers and consultations on local government reform
• interviews