The importance of signing off the draft Budget and this year’s hurricane preparations were the two most significant issues discussed at the Advisory Council (AC) meeting held by His Excellency The Governor on Grand Turk today, Wednesday, 16 May 2012.
One of the longest and most detailed discussions was on the matter of the $200m draft Budget. This was welcomed by the Council who commented upon its strong and credible revenue forecasts – including the 20% increase in revenue. They also appreciated that no tax increases are proposed, recognised the importance of the projected surplus of $4m after several years of deficit, the route to paying down debt and building up future financial reserves.
The Advisory Council welcomed several specific proposals in the Budget, which will now be debated by the Consultative Forum next week:
- Increases in the TCI capital budget from $5m to $16m, and that this will directly support the local construction sector
- Increases in maintenance from $3.7m to $5.3m, including an increase in road maintenance form $150k to $1m
- Increases in the social security budget from $1.3m to $1.7m with provision for a new juvenile offender centre
- The focus on key priorities such as primary health and education
- Recognition of the importance of more appropriate control mechanisms to ensure that the spending will be delivered effectively
His Excellency and the Council were also satisfied with preparations for this year’s Hurricane season which begins on 1 June 2012. This followed presentations from the senior team at the Ministry of Government Support Services: Permanent Secretary Wesley Clerveaux, Deputy Dr Virginia Clerveaux and Acting Director Horatio Tuit. Their report included:
- Confirmation that this year’s hurricane preparation awareness campaign had already kicked off. The theme of this campaign is that disaster management is everybody’s business.
- Thirty hurricane shelter managers have received up to date training in Providenciales with this now being rolled out across the other Islands.
- Informed the Council that the new $1m Community Centre on South Caicos opened by His Excellency this week also doubles as a hurricane shelter.
- That fit for purpose generators are being installed at all shelters ahead of this season.
- That 29 emergency staff have been trained in Urban Search and Rescue Skills including how to carry out searches in the event of collapsed roof or flooded buildings, as well as first aid, mass casualty handling, search techniques, hazardous material handling, rope rescue, stress management, lifting and shoring of loads.
- That European Union funding is being sought for a new multi-agency and departmental National Emergency Operations Centre on Grand Turk
- A reminder that there will be a major disaster management exercise on Providenciales on 31 May-1 June 2012.
Governor Ric Todd said: “The Council felt that TCIG had struck the right balance in its draft budget between paying off our historic debts, proving that our public finances are now better managed and that we can begin to reinvest in our infrastrucutre. I have often said that the sad state of repair of the Caicos Causeway, in particular, was an icon of the failure of Government, which is why I am so pleased that work will begin to repair it next month.
“Both the members of the Advisory Council and I were also extremely impressed by the udpate from the Minsitry of Government Support Services. Their message was unequivical – we must hope for the best but always plan for the worst. Significant progress is being made across a number of important areas and this gives rise to our increased confidence in the nation’s ability to repsond to a catastrophe.”
