Moves are being made by the Premier the Honorable Dr Rufus Ewing to bring TCI inward investment under the direct control of elected government following concern expressed earlier this month that this was not happening. At yesterday’s cabinet meeting, chaired by His Excellency Governor Ric Todd in the House of Assembly, the members discussed a paper by the Minister of Finance to re-establish TCInvest as an autonomous body under the supervision of the Premier. The refocused body will put its priorities on developing investment policies, promoting investment, evaluating and facilitating project proposals, monitoring project implementation and administering concessionary legislation. A working group will be set up to draft the legislation. The budget for the new body will be set in the allocation round for the 2013/14 budget. Here’s —- with a report on what else happened in yesterday’s cabinet.
The Cabinet agreed to continue with a full financial audit by accountancy firm KPMG, working with Inter-Health Canada Ltd. The Healthcare Group manages the Public Private Investment Partnership under the Integrated Health System. There will be a full clinical audit, led by the Ministry of Health, closely scrutinizing the performance of ICL under the healthcare contract. The Cabinet also discussed papers from the Minister of Finance about the Financial Strategy and Policy Statement and alternatives to VAT. The Premier will write to the UK Foreign Office Minister, Mark Simmonds, about these issues. This will be his response to the Minister’s letter to him of 14th January – in which Mr Simmonds made it clear VAT would be introduced on April 1st. The cabinet also considered a paper from the Premier about appointments by Ministers to replace members of Statutory Bodies whose terms are expiring – or to fill vacancies on these bodies. The Boards include the NHIB, the Tourist Board, the Immigration Board, the Planning Board and the Education, Community College and Scholarship Advisory Boards. Announcements about the nominations will be made by the responsible Ministers in due course.
The Premier’s proposal was approved for the appointment of a National Honors and Awards Committee to examine the options for – and make recommendations on – a National Awards Program. The composition of the Committee and its terms of reference will be announced by the Premier’s office.
The cabinet considered and approved a draft National Youth Policy for TCI presented by the Deputy Premier the Honorable Akiera Misick. She was instructed to prepare proposals with a budget for the Policy. This will come up for approval in the 2013/14 budget allocation process. Cabinet underlined that this was a strategic multi-year policy, aiming at delivering challenging and important objectives. Members also discussed overcrowding at the Clement Howell High School and invited the Minister for Education to present to Cabinet costed proposals for short, medium and long term options to address the situation.
These options will include the construction of a new High School; splitting the High School and acquiring by lease new or alternative premises; extending the HS; and a shift system at CHHS. Cabinet noted that there were complex issues involved. This is Chris Jarrett for RTC News.
