The Consultative Forum will meet in open session on Tuesday 10th January 2012 from 10:00 a.m. at the NJS Francis building on Grand Turk.
Two Bills referred to the Forum by H.E. the Governor; on Agriculture and Control of Animals, are on the agenda for Members’ consideration.
There are also eighteen questions for oral answers directed to the Chief Executive, the PS in the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General. Member Ethlyn Gibbs-Williams will also make a presentation.
RTC will air the Forum meeting live commencing at 10a.m.
A copy of the agenda is below for your viewing.
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TWENTY- EIGHTH (28TH) SITTING OF THE
CONSULTATIVE FORUM OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
TUESDAY 10TH DAY OF JANUARY 2012
IN THE NJS FRANCIS BUILDING
FRONT STREET, GRAND TURK
AT 10:00 O’CLOCK IN THE FORENOON
DRAFT AGENDA
1. PRAYERS – PASTOR MARK CHRISTMAS
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON
3. MATTER REFERRED BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
- AGRICULTURE BILL 2011
- CONTROL OF ANIMALS 2011
4. QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLY
1. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by: Dr. Linda Williams
- APPOINTMENT OF PERMANENT SECRETARIES
(i) Will the CEO indicate, kindly, the configuration of the ministries resulting from the Public Sector Reform Initiative? And will he state the expected date for its implementation?
(ii) Can the CEO explain the selection process for the appointment of the Permanent Secretaries (PS) and can he also indicate the next stage in this process?
(iii) Can the CEO explain the selection processes for appointing a Selection Team to vet applications and screen applicants for the position of PS. And will he confirm whether or not the same team of persons is engaged in the exercise from start to finish?
(iv) Will the CEO be kind enough to confirm the total number of Established officers and Non-Established staff who responded to the invitation to inquire into the severance scheme?
2. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by: Dr. Linda Williams
- PREPARATIONS FOR ELECTIONS
(i) Can the CEO provide an update on what has been accomplished to date in community awareness and education on the voting procedures for the next General Elections? Can he also indicate whether or not this awareness program took into consideration the need for bilingual communication?
(ii) Can the CEO confirm whether or not a training program has been implemented to train poll workers and other field workers that facilitate the election process?
(iii) Can the CEO confirm what specific action to date has been taken to promote the message of Integrity in public life and the legal procedures for addressing any breach discovered?
3. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
OUTSTANDING REVENUES (deferred from meeting dated 13th December 2011)
- Over the past few years, questions have been posed regarding outstanding amounts owed through Destination Clubs and from the Investors under Development Agreement who should have been contributing to the National Scholarship Funds? Will the PS in the case of the National Scholarship Fund, be pleased to say the number of developments in default, what amounts have been collected and what amounts remain outstanding?
4. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM (deferred from meeting dated 13th December 2011)
- Will the Chief Executive Officer be pleased to give a Report on the work completed and outstanding by Mr. Stephen Catchpole and his Team? Will he say what is the timeline to complete the work and Departments? Will he say in his report which Ministries and Departments have been identified as oversized and understaffed, the current number of staff and possible job creations for redeployment or new persons. Will he further state other recommendations made in relation to this exercise? Will he be pleased to say the number of expressions of interests received with a break down as to how many are established, non established but monthly paid, and weekly staff?
Will he also say the numbers per Island?
5. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
CEO – NIB and NHIP FUNDS (deferred from meeting dated 13th December 2011)
- Will the Chief Executive Officer be pleased to state the formula used to calculate the total of $10 million dollars said to be owed by NIB for employment related injuries? Will he further state the number of cases this relates to and break the sum down by range in cost; will he say if any payments were made over the years at all and if any, what were the amounts and which years?
6. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
IMMIGRATION SYSTEM AND DRAFTED LEGISLATION
i. A comprehensive Immigration System that captured information of all visitors and workers and shared information with vital departments in Government had been identified some time ago as a major necessary investment for TCI. Will the CEO be pleased to say what is the status of this project?
ii. Will the CEO be pleased to say what has happened with the drafted and proposed Immigration Bill which captured largely the contents of the 2004 Blue Ribbon Commission Report?
7. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
MILESTONES
- Will the CEO be pleased to advise the people of these islands on the progress and work to be done on one each of the milestones set for accomplishment before a return to elected government?
8. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
ADVISORS
- Will the CEO be pleased to say how many UK Advisors has served in TCI since August 2009 and will he further give their names and areas of expertise?
9. TO BE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
SPECIAL SELECTION TEAM FOR PS RECRUITMENT
(a) Will the CEO be pleased to say whether in fact there has been a Special Selection Team for the recruitment of Permanent Secretaries?
(b) Will he say further what are their names and level of expertise?
(c) Will he say what is the role of the PSC in the recruitment of the Permanent Secretaries if any?
10. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT
- Will the CEO be pleased to say what countries was the position of Financial Manager for TCIG’s Treasury advertised and will he give the details of the Advertisement in each country?
11. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
AUDIT MATTERS
i. Will the CEO be pleased to say whether it is the intention of the Interim Administration to carry out detail audits into the events of the past few years: pre the Commission of Inquiry as recommended by Sir Robin Auld and for the period of the Interim Administration thus far?
ii. Under an elected Government there are several oversight bodies established by the Constitution and the HOA’s Standing Orders that review government’s current and past expenditure and policies. Will he say what bodies perform any oversight role similar to a Public Accounts, Expenditure and Administration Committee, if any, into the actions of the Interim Administration?
12. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
TOURISM.
- Will the Chief Executive Officer be pleased to say:
(a) The exact number of stay-over arrivals to date for 2011.
(b) The exact number of cruise passengers – which is actually provided by Carnival Cruise Lines.
(c) And what is the method used to determine the number of stay-over visitors.
13. TO THE PERMANENT SECRETARY OF FINANCE
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
$260M LOAN
- Will the PS Finance be pleased to say how the proceeds of the $260m loan was spent?
14. TO THE HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL
To be asked by Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright – Robinson
LAWSUITS
- Will the AG be pleased to say whether the TCIG has any outstanding lawsuits against it? Will he say the numbers and will he say if any of the complainants are former contract officers of the TCIG?
15. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Ethlyn Gibbs – Williams
- Will the CEO be pleased to state how much was spent on the audit of the scholarships and whether or not the report from KPMG was published?
16. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Ethlyn Gibbs – Williams
- Will the CEO be pleased to explain the processes in conducting a national assessment in order to determine the needs for scholarships?
17. TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To be asked by Mrs. Ethlyn Gibbs – Williams
- Will the CEO be pleased to say when was the last national needs assessment for scholarships conducted?
18. TO THE PERMANENT SECRETARY OF FINANCE
To be asked by Mrs. Ethlyn Gibbs – Williams
- (a)Will the PS for Finance be pleased to say in which areas of expenditure were the recently found invoices which resulted in the increase of the deficit related?
- (b)Will the P/S for Finance be pleased to state the breakdown for these as per the invoices and the overall summary of the invoices?
5. PRESENTATION BY MRS. ETHLYN GIBBS – WILLIAMS:
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UK AND OBTAINING GOALS
6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
7. ADJOURNMENT
