His Excellency the Governor, Dr. John Freeman, chaired the 6th meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, 6 March 2019, at the Hilly Ewing Building on Providenciales, in the presence of all ministers.
A post Cabinet statement from Governor’s Office, noted the approval of a review of the stipend paid by the Government to jurors undertaking jury duty and, in keeping with best practice in the region, to the drafting of a bill to amend the Jury Ordinance to include a provision to obligate employers to continue paying employee salaries during the time they are on jury duty.
Here’s RTC’s Chris Jarrett with other matters taken up at Cabinet level this week.
Cabinet approved the proposed Companies Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 1) Order and directed the Attorney General’s Chambers to draft the amendment for execution, with a view to commencing the Order as soon as practicable.
Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday, approved the appointment of Yaa McCartney as the new Chair of the Public Procurement Board for a period of two years and expressed thanks to Mr. James Astwood for his six years of service as Chair of the Procurement Board.
Cabinet received and reviewed the Third Quarter Report of the financial performance of the Turks and Caicos Government for the period of October to December 2018.
It approved the establishment of a new Department of Trade, following the passage of the 2019/2020 budget.
Approval was given by Cabinet for a business license application, submitted by Ocean King, seeking permission to operate in a restricted business (fishing), under the Business Licensing (Amendment) Regulations 2014.
It approved as well the terms of agreement between the TCIG and T-VED Ltd. to enter into negotiations for a development agreement to operate the airport on North Caicos, subject to further consideration by Cabinet.
Cabinet agreed to the Revenue Department entering into discussions on the development of a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbnb.
Subject to the granting of applicable licenses under strict conditions and subject to the results of a new Environmental Impact Assessment, Cabinet conditionally approved a planning application from Sun Rise & Set Ltd. and Emerald Point Ltd. for Outline Development Permission to erect a new rock groyne to replace three existing synthetic groynes in Leeward Marina in order to reduce the erosion of the coastline along Crown Land Parcels 60901/78, 27, 29 and 118.
Subject to public consultation, Cabinet agreed to the drafting of amendments to the Residential and Commercial Development Building height and set back standards, to include more detailed provision for buildings between 7 and 12 storeys high.
Cabinet noted at Wednesday’s meeting, an update on an action plan by the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) and a number of proposals to address the use of beach accesses.
It approved as well, recommendations by the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources – DECR – in relation to non-contentious issues, covered in the public consultation for amendments to the National Parks Order.
Cabinet approved recommendations by the Department of Environmental and Coastal Resources – the DECR, to carry out a comprehensive environmental impact study in relation to contentious issues covered in the public consultation for amendments to the National Parks Order to remove certain areas from the Chalk Sound National Park.
At its meeting on Wednesday, Cabinet noted an Information Paper on the medical treatment abroad policy.
Approval was given by Cabinet for the use of a specified, rental space for the Health Regulation Authority.
Cabinet approved the Attorney General Chamber’s recommendation on settlement terms in a Civil Recovery case.
It also approved terms in respect of a request from the United States of America, seeking agreement for the Turks and Caicos Islands to denounce any interest in land that was the subject of Bona Vacantia in the interest of settling claims from fraud victims.
Cabinet on Wednesday, approved a request from Parrot Cay Hotel Management for concessions on Customs duties in accordance with the Refurbishment Policy.
Approval was given by Cabinet for a Supplementary Appropriation Bill to retire two Contingency warrants being presented to the House of Assembly, as well as instructions to the Attorney General’s Chambers to draft the proposed Companies (Amendment to Schedule 3) Regulations.
Cabinet also received an update from the Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control on the recent sloop landing.
It received as well as a report from the Deputy Governor and Premier on TCI’s participation in the 17th EU Overseas Countries and Territories Forum and ongoing relations with the EU as well as an update from the Deputy Governor on the status of the EDF 11 program and an update from the Attorney General on the TCI Banking Contract.
Further information on these Cabinet matters will be provided by Ministers in due course. For RTC News, I’m
For RTC News, I’m Chris Jarrett.
