Turks and Caicos post Cabinet Update
Acting Governor Anya Williams chaired Cabinet at the Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales, Thursday, 11th September 2014.
Acting Governor Anya Williams chaired the Turks and Caicos Cabinet.
All Ministers were present. At this meeting Cabinet:
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Received a presentation from representatives from the Caribbean Development Bank (CBA) setting out the results of the Turks and Caicos Islands Country Poverty Assessment (CPA). The CPA has been a joint undertaking of a National Assessment Team including members from Government Agencies and NGOs and a team of consultants funded by the CDB. The report provides a general overview of the historical, economic and social context of TCI as it affects current and potential future levels of poverty and describes the current extent of poverty in the country. Cabinet welcomed the report;
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Advised HE the Governor to approve the Immigration Regulations 2014. The regulations supplement the 2014 Immigration Bill which had its first reading at the August 28th siting of the House of Assembly. The regulations will proceed to the House of Assembly;
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Noted the recommendations of the Procurement Board on award of the following contract: Refurbishment of the existing rented Detention Centre;
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Noted a report from the Minister Border Control and Labour updating Cabinet regarding the repatriation of British Overseas Passport issuance and the costs associated with this. From May 2015 all applications will be received, examined and agreed in TCI. The finished passport will be issued to the applicant by Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) in the UK;
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Advised HE the Governor to agree the Ministry of Border control and Labour revised policy for dealing with the immigration process regarding persons with matters pending before the courts and the labour tribunal. The new policy will be published by the Minister for Border Control and Labour in due course;
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Advised HE the Governor to approve amendments to the Schedule of Ports Authority (Stevedores, Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 to enable a variation of tariff in accordance with Regulation 15 of the aforementioned regulations. The increased fees represent a 2.54% increase over the September 2013 tariff and will take effect on 1st September 2014;
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Received a proposal from the Ports Authority to introduce scanning facilities to scan containers entering and leaving the country via seaports for customs and security purposes. Cabinet welcomed the proposal and agreed that the Ports Authority should lead on its further development and revert to cabinet again in due course;
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Agreed to defer by one year Cabinets decision of the 13th August 2014 to maintain Daylight Savings Time as the standard time of the islands. This is to allow sufficient notice for implementation to be provided to key stakeholders in the aviation and tourism sectors. This means that the Islands will remain on USA Eastern Standard time;
The following Ministers will be out of the Country on official business;
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Hon. Minister Border Control and Labour - 12th - 15th September (Personal Business) Minister of Finance Acting;
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Hon. Minister for Environment and Home Affairs 12th - 21st September (Personal Business) Deputy Premier Acting;
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Hon. Premier - 13th - 21st September (Official Business) Deputy Premier Acting;
Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.