TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT - POST CABINET MEETING STATEMENT
His Excellency the Governor, Peter Beckingham, chaired the 14th meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday 20th May 2015 at the House of Assembly Building on Grand Turk.
All Ministers were present except the Hon. Premier, the Hon. Minister of Finance and the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Environment, Culture and Heritage who participated by telephone conference for specific items.
At this meeting Cabinet:
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Received an update from the Minister of Border Control and Labour on the transfer of passport printing to the United Kingdom and the contingencies being put in place for the issue of passports in emergency situations. Further information will be published by the Ministry in due course;
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Noted the recommendations of the Procurement Board on the award of a contract for the development of a Grand Turk Master Plan. The focus of the plan is to create a design concept that would capture future development opportunities along the major corridors of Grand Turk, the revitalisation of the historical downtown area and the preservation of historical architecture;
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Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the issue of a license to the Thompson Cove Property Owners Association to dredge the shoal in the Thompson Cove inlet canal, of which the dredge materials (sand) will be used to re-nourish the beach in Thompson Cove. The license is granted subject to conditions including planning approval and a satisfactory Environmental Impact Assessment;
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Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the issue of a license to Sun Rise Ltd and Emerald Point Ltd for the expansion of the existing canal to allow for construction of the boat dock located in Leeward Providenciales. The license is granted subject to conditions including planning approval and a satisfactory Environmental Impact Assessment;
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Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve an order to commence the 2014 Revised Edition of the Laws. The Revised Edition of the Laws Ordinance provides for the revision and consolidation of the laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands as at 31st December 2014;
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Received a report from the Minister of Finance and noted the substantial progress being made to implement the Government’s strategy for debt refinancing. The Government remains on target to refinance its debt by February 2016;
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Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve amendments to the National Insurance (Benefit) Regulations 2015 and take the necessary actions to bring the amended regulations into operation as soon as possible. The Regulations are being amended to correct the weekly minimum payment in respect of retirement, invalidity, survivors and old age pensions.
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.