Turks and Caicos Islands 22 May cabinet meeting update
Governor Ric Todd chaired the Turks and Caicos Islands’ (TCI) Cabinet on meeting on Wednesday, 22 May 2013.
Premier Rufus Ewing, Deputy Governor Anya Williams and Finance Minister Washington Missick (LtR)
The Premier and all Ministers were present at the meeting at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk, with the exception of the Deputy Premier who was unwell and sent apologies.
At this meeting Cabinet:
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discussed the need for a National Protocol Policy. It noted that most governments have in place formal policies and procedures which prescribe the various protocols to be used at official events and when hosting foreign dignitaries, as well as the proper use of the national flag and coat of arms by both government and the private sector. In order to avoid the risk of inconsistency, Cabinet agreed that a comprehensive Protocol Policy and Implementation Handbook should be developed, along with official guidance on the appropriate use of the TCI flag and coat of arms.
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heard a presentation from the Turks and Caicos Resort Economic Council (TCREC) on the practice of owners of Condominium Resort properties bypassing resort management companies. TCREC set out that the Condominium Resort model in the TCI is one that provides benefits for TCIG, tourists, owners and the local economy, and that the exclusion of management companies from the letting process could ultimately lead to their withdrawal from such resorts and the resorts changing in status to residences. This in turn would have a negative impact on the economy and TCIG revenues. After discussion Cabinet agreed to invite the TCREC to present to AG Chambers options for amendments to legislation covering the regulation of the letting of Condominium Resort properties. It undertook to consider such draft legislation with a view to passing it to the House of Assembly.
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discussed a report from the Minister of Finance about the fourth quarter outturn on FY 2012/13. This set out that TCI had achieved a fiscal surplus in 2012/13, which represented significant progress. Cabinet welcomed this and noted that, despite some issues on recurrent revenue, a combination of a small recurrent surplus and a strong non-recurrent surplus meant that $41m was paid into the Sinking Fund at year end. This put TCI in a good fiscal position. Cabinet asked the Finance Minister to publicise the final report on the FY 2012/13.
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welcomed the information from the Governor that the Secretary of State had approved the FSPS sent to him in April and that formal notice of this would follow in due course.
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considered the draft budget for 2013/14 presented by the Minister of Finance, which was in line with the FSPS. It agreed the headline figures for revenue and expenditure, both current and capital, proposed in the budget and analysed the draft budget in the light of the Government’s priorities. Cabinet noted that there were a number of challenges and choices. It agreed to have further intensive discussions over the next week about priorities before finalising the budget at the next Cabinet meeting and forwarding it to the House of Assembly.
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endorsed a proposal from the Minister of Border Control and Labour for a public consultation on a draft Ordinance to replace the 2004 Employment Ordinance. It also noted an update from the Minister on work being done on a new Immigration Ordinance. The Minster explained to Cabinet that the outline of draft legislation, which would, inter alia, align legislation on TCIslander status with the provisions of the Constitution, was with AG’s Chambers. Cabinet invited the AG to make conclusion of this work and presentation to Cabinet of draft legislation an early priority.
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agreed the nominations by the Minister of Government Support Services for appointments to the 2013 / 2014 Water and Sewerage Board.
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agreed to the Minister of GSS’s proposal to change the title of the Electricity Commissioner to that of Energy and Utilities Commissioner.
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agreed that beach access points and community parks be registered as National Parks under the National Parks Ordinance, given their importance to the community, and invited the AG to give this legal effect.
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approved the introduction of licensing fees on the importation, handling and storage of hazardous materials under the Petroleum Ordinance and invited the AG to draft appropriate changes to regulations and, if required, to propose appropriate changes to legislation.
Further information on the issues addressed by cabinet will be provided by Ministers in due course.
Cabinet decided that its next meeting would be on Wednesday 29 May.