The Advisory Council met on Wednesday 27th April at the NJS Francis building, Grand Turk.
The Council discussed current airport security arrangements and underlined the importance of ensuring the integrity of the full perimeter of the airport. It agreed that a meeting of key stakeholders should be convened to review the arrangements and recommend any necessary improvements.
The Council was updated on current operations of the Philatelic Bureau by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade Tourism and Communications, Arthur Been, and the Manager of the Philatelic Bureau, Girlie Garland. The Council supported plans by the Bureau to enter into a contract with a major international stamp supplier for the production and marketing of TCI stamps, coins and other collectibles which should increase the Bureau’s revenue earning capacity. The Council also welcomed the themes selected for pending stamp releases.
The Council received a presentation on the operation to date of the hospitals contract between TCIG and InterHealth Canada and agreed on the need for early appointments to vacant positions which are important to the efficient management of the contract and to ensuring it delivers value for money.
The Council approved a proposed amendment to the Marriage Ordinance which (provided all other requirements are met) allows the forty-eight hour residency requirement to be waived for visitors seeking to get married in the TCI. The amendment will accommodate cruise ship passengers to Grand Turk who arrive and depart on the same day.
The Council expressed delight with the outstanding performance of the TCI team at the recent regional CARIFTA Games in Jamaica and in particular the two gold medal winners Delano Williams and Dominique Missick. It decided that TCIG should work with the Sports Commission to provide the two gold medal winners with a bursary to enable them to pursue their athletics career.
