Archive for November, 2011
Mac signs FCO fiscal rules
(CNS): McKeeva Bush signed on the dotted line on Wednesday, committing the Cayman Islands to a fiscally prudent and transparent future, during his visit to the UK for the annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC). The Foreign Office Minister for the Overseas Territories and the Cayman Islands premier, who is also the finance minister, signed a Framework for Fiscal Responsibility for the Cayman Islands. The agreement ties this and future governments to stringent new rules regarding public spending and borrowing and greater transparency on all public sector operations.
UK minister Henry Bellingham said the agreement demonstrates the commitment of the Cayman Islands Government (CIG) to “prudent and transparent fiscal management through effective medium-term planning and putting value for money considerations at the heart of CIG decision making.” It also includes a commitment to effective risk management and delivering improved accountability in the public sector.
“The agreement of a Framework for Fiscal Responsibility with the Cayman Islands Government is a strong example of the UK Government’s strategy towards the Overseas Territories in action,” said Bellingham after he and Bush signed the agreemen ahead of the OTCC opening (right).
“The strategy aims to help territories strengthen public financial management and economic planning and this Framework is a clear sign of the Cayman Island Government’s commitment to those goals. I am sure this development, and returning the public finances of the Caymans Islands to a sustainable footing, will be welcomed in the Cayman Islands and internationally.”
The document sets out a range of measures to strengthen public financial management that will eventually be reflected in a revision of the Cayman Islands Public Management and Finance Law, which the deal calls to be implemented by July 2012.
The UK has agreed that Cayman will not be able to comply with the limits on public borrowing specified in the framework at present but it expects the local government to achieve the full compliance by the end of the 2015-16 fiscal year.
Although the text of the agreement that has been signed by Bush has not been published, the final draft is understood to be close to the document published recently and posted below.
The stringent measures in the document will not only prevent government from borrowing any more money for capital projects, it also places conditions or public-private partnerships, such as the proposed cruise port development with CHEC and the ForCayman Alliance with Dart, which involve public assets.
Minister urges employers towards gender equality
(CNS): Government has launched a public education campaign on gender equality in the wake of the passage of the law earlier this year. The community affairs minister who has responsibility for gender issues said an informed public is necessary to ensure the best use of the law which comes into effect in the New Year. Mike Adam is encouraging everyone to visit the website but pointed employers in particular to the pledge to promote the development of gender equality within their organisation. The new website which forms part of the campaign can be found at www.genderequality.gov.ky
“Whether they are an employee, employer, service provider or simply in receipt of goods and services, it is to the benefit of any individual to be aware of the provisions of the Gender Equality Law. I would also encourage local employers to take the online pledge and demonstrate to our community, and the world at large, their commitment to making the Cayman Islands a world-class jurisdiction in which to live and work,” Adam urged.
The names of employers, and the ways in which they have committed to ensuring equal opportunities for their employees, will be made public once they take the pledge.
The Ministry also encourages the public to take the four question gender equality poll, by the World Bank, which can be found on the resource page of the new website. The poll provides a quick snapshot of the public’s opinion of gender equality in the Cayman Islands.
The website offers examples of international best practice, and interprets in plain language the Gender Equality Law and provides a social and historical context for gender equality in the Cayman Islands, and highlights a variety of gender equality resources from the Caribbean and the world.
As well as the creation of the new website local radio, TV and cinema outlets have begun airing public service announcements (PSAs) encouraging members of the public to educate themselves about their rights and obligations under the law.
Senior Policy Advisor (Gender) Tammy Ebanks worked with Government Information Services to develop the public information and education campaign, and will be collaborating with the Civil Service College to develop more training tools in the near future. The Office of the Governor, through an Overseas Territories Programme Fund grant, and the Ministry of Community Affairs had provided joint funding for the campaign materials.
See Gender Equality Law here
Tributes continue for popular Cayman pastor
(CNS): The late Pastor Al Ebanks’ colleaguesfrom the various constitutional commissions added their tributes about their friend and fellow commissioner, Wednesday, after the Agape pastor passed away on Friday following a long illness. The acting governor also added his condolences and comments on behalf of the cabinet and the civil service ahead of the funeral which is scheduled for Saturday at Pastor Al’s church. Donovan Ebanks said that civil society in the Cayman Islands had lost a leading light and the commissioners said the much loved pastor was passionate about life.
See messages of tribute and condolence below
Watchdog reveals statements in Bush-Thomas enquiry
(CNS): The Miami based watchdog, OffshoreAlert, has published more details of the police probe into the Cayman Islands premier and the as yet unexplained “financial irregularities” which may have occurred in 2004. The specialist subscription media house has revealed statements from the investigation into the Stan Thomas – McKeeva Bush affair, as well as the content of a letter from Cayman’s director of public prosecutions (DPP). Thomas has been questioned by the local authorities about two payments that he allegedly made to Bush, OffshoreAlert reveals, based on the DPP’s correspondence asking Thomas to explain why he was allegedly giving money to the then leader of government business possibly regarding the rezoning of land on Seven Mile Beach.
OffshoreAlert has also published two witness statements by local realtor Brian Wight, who was the broker involved in the purchase by Thomas of the Vista Norte land, which was owned at the time by Guillermo Freytag.
In his statements to the police, Wight claimed that he had several telephone conversations with both Bush and Thomas regarding alleged payments made by the Texas-based developer to Bush in connection with the need to rezone the land before it could be developed.
The report also refers to a letter to Thomas, also seen by CNS earlier this year, from DPP Cheryl Richards who asks the developer to explain payments of US$375,000 that he allegedly made to Bush “and/or his firm, Windsor Development Corporation,” in 2004.
The police probe into the premier was exposed when a letter that Bush allegedly faxed to Thomas from his former ministry office in October 2004 was leaked to the press. The letter, which appears to be from McKeeva Bush, asked the Texan for $350,000 and Cayman Islands Governor Duncan Taylor eventually confirmed that this letter was the subject of a police investigation into “financial irregularities”.
Although Bush has made very few comments regarding the investigation, other than threatening to sue anyone who accuses him of corruption, the premier has referred to the letter, which is on Windsor Development letterhead, as a real estate bill.
David Marchant, the editor of Offshore Alert, reports that neither McKeeva Bush nor Stanley Thomas, who is based in Atlanta, Georgia, responded to his inquiries.
Thomas no longer owns the Seven Mile Beach property, which includes the Courtyard Marriott site, as it was sold to the Dart Group earlier this year and now forms part of the controversial ForCayman Alliance investment plan.
While Thomas had asked government to move the West Bay Road to allow him to open up the property for the development of a beachfront resort, the previous administration had been reluctant to do so because of local opposition. It is not clear if Thomas had approached the UDP administration with the same request before he sold the land to Dart.
Go to Offshore Alert’s full article here
See Brian Wight’s statements and the original Stan Thomas letter below.
Channel Islands Lottery jackpot above £500,000 mark
(BBC): The jackpot for the Channel Islands Christmas Lottery has risen above £500,000. The first prize rises in relation to ticket sale increases and currently stands at £504,000. The 2010 first price was a record high of £750,000 with more money than ever going to charity. During 2011 more than £400,000 of money raised from the 2010 lottery was donated to charitable organisations across the islands. One of those to benefit was The Croft, a respite service for children and adults with learning disabilities. Sue Aldwell, secretary of the Friends of the Croft, said: "We were totally thrilled to receive funding, it will make the most amazing difference to everyone that we help support.
MLAs ignored by Cabinet
(CNS): Although the new constitution has a provision for elected members that represent districts that do not have a member in Cabinet to visit with the government board once every three months, the two MLAs impacted by this have only been asked to come once in more than two years. Arden McLean, one of the two elected members whose constituents have no Cabinet representation, said that the only time he has been asked was before the 2010 budget and has not been asked since. The PPM member said he believed the premier was cherry-picking the things he liked in the constitution, such as the trappings of office, but ignoring things he doesn’t , especially those supporting democracy. (Photo Dennie Warren Jr)
Representing the single member constituency of East End, which along with North Side is one of the two which have don’t have elected ministers in the constituency, the two MLAs are constitutionally entitled to go to one of the government’s weekly Cabinet meetings once a quarter.
The two men revealed that they have only been invited on one occasion, despite the constitutional requirement that they should have been allowed to make representations on behalf of their constituents at least six times since the constitution came into effect.
McLean stated that the only issue that has been addressed from his single appearance was the canteen in his district’s primary school.
Even though there have been, and still are, other pressing issues in his constituency that he would like to present to government, he has not had an audience. The opposition member said the premier seems to believe the requirement to invite the non-cabinet MLAs is his to issue when he feels like it and not, as is actually the case, a legal requirement.
“The premier is picking and choosingthe bits in the constitution he likes and ignoring the rest,” the opposition member said. He pointed out that the trappings of office that the premier seems to like are not compulsory but he had still blamed the PPM for having to adopt them. “But what doesn’t align with his wishes he rails against it,” McLean added.
The independent member for North Side, who said that no invitation has been extended to him either since the one time appearance before the 2010 budget, stated that the premier seemed to have difficulty complying with the constitution in a number of areas.
Ezzard Miller pointed to a victory on constitutional issues, as government was finally complying with the twenty-one day rule of tabling proposed legislation before debating it. This also means that the government has been adjourning the meetings of parliament properly and opening up opportunities for the opposition benches to file questions and motions.
The North Side MLA said the stand that he and the PPM members had taken earlierthis year had worked. The members had held a press conference to alert the public and voiced their grievances to the governor, after the premier had been adjourning sittings of the parliament over and over without adjourning the actual meeting, abusing the democratic process and attempting to silence the opposition.
As government is now complying with the twenty-one day rule, the public is also now being given a chance to see and read legislation before it is debated in the Legislative Assembly and passed and given a three week opportunity to voice their opinions, concerns or support for either new legislation or changes to existing laws.
Back to work programme adapted for new groups
(CNS): Unemployed single mothers and young men over the age of 21 are the next two categories of people struggling to find work that government hopes to help with its Passport2Success programme. So far the back to work initiative has focused on school leavers but now people for these demographics will also get an opportunity to tackle barriers that have prevented them from work next, officials said when the two new programmes launch next year. Only twenty spaces are available for each of the newly adapted programmes which the employment Minister said addresses employment problems in a holistic way and can make a difference.
“This programme is achieving its goal of transforming struggling young people aged 17-20 years into mature, work-ready citizens, and we are confident that it can also make a difference for other vulnerable groups,” Rolston Anglin said about the initiative launched in April 2010.
The minister said focus groups have been held with single mothers and men over 21 by the strategic partner in the programme, the Wellness Centre, to better understand their unique experiences of unemployment. Based on the information gathered some changes will be made to the curriculum.
“This consultation process was critical. I am convinced that the key to the success of Passport2Success is the fact that it responds to real life issues and needs of the participants, whatever they might be,” Anglin added.
Wellness Centre Director Shannon Seymour explained that both programmes will include the development of communication and negotiation skills. Core elements will include résumé writing, an overview of the Labour Law and employment contracts, and sessions covering workplace expectations and practices.
Identified deficits in budgeting and finance skills, customer service skills, deportment and self-confidence will be addressed. Group and individual counselling and detailed assessments will also be important features of the programme.
To start, successful applicants will participate in a three-week in-class orientation that includes site visits and guest speakers. Following that, a 16-week combination of in-class work and internship will add to participants’ skill base. Week 20 will close the programme with the sharing and processing of experiences as well as a graduation exercise.
Programme Facilitator Dr Tasha Ebanks-Garcia said the focus will be skill acquisition as opposed to work experience.
“We want our graduates to walk away with a tangible skill. Through an apprenticeship-focused internship, participants will have the opportunity to learn skills that will increase their marketability and employability. The benefit for employers is that skilled Caymanians will be available at the end of the programme,” she said.
The organisers are seeking the support of local businesses for the provision of unpaid internships. Interested organisations may contact Shannon Seymour on 949-9355 or email info@wellnesscentre.ky.
Passport2Success is a free programme provided by the Ministry of Education, Training and Education, with the support of private sector sponsors Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Ltd., CML Offshore Recruitment, and LIME Communications. Transportation for the programme is provided by Webster’s Tours Ltd and forms are available online at www.passport2success.ky the application deadline is 30 November.
Barnes accuses ‘old friend’
(CNS): During a Grand Court trial Andy Barnes accused a man who he said was once a close friend when they were growing up in West Bay, of tryingto kill him. He told the court on Tuesday that Justin Manderson had opened fire on him outside Kelly’s Bar last summer. “He knows that I know he shot me,” Barnes said as he revealed that they were once friends and neighbours in what he said were the district’s government schemes. Manderson (20), whose trial for the attempted murder of Barnes opened Monday, has denied he was the gunman and has filed an alibi notice with the court in response to the accusation. (Photo courtesy of Cayman27)
Having arrived at Kelly’s with a friend, Barnes was shot some time before 8pm on 24 June 2010. He said that as he crossed the road towards the bar, he spotted Manderson on a bicycle coming towards him, side on, and was concerned as he expected something to happen.
Barnes is the father of four-year-old Jeremiah Barnes, who was shot and killed at a West Bay gas station in February last year by a gunman that police believe was trying to kill Barnes. Devon Anglin was acquitted of the murder earlier this year but during that trial Barnes gave evidence stating that he believed Justin Manderson had tried to kill him four months later because Anglin, who is Manderson’s friend and cousin, had been arrested for the child’s murder on Barnes’ witness statement.
He told the court Tuesday that as soon as he saw Manderson on the night of the shooting he was worried. When the defendant saw him, Barnes said, he uttered an expletive before pulling out a revolver from his waist band and started shooting. Describing himself as under fire, Barnes said he ducked down behind cars and then fled into a yard, jumping a fence. After the shooting stopped, he realised he had been hit and took refuge in the bar before his wife came to collect him. He was taken to hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the leg and where he told the police it was Manderson who had tried to kill him.
At the scene of the shooting outside Kelly’s bar the police recovered several shell casings and a bullet and arrested Manderson later that night. According to the crown, Manderson tested positive for gunshot residue after his arrest and had also made what was considered an incriminating statement to the officers. John Masters, the lead prosecuting counsel, said that when he was arrested, Manderson stated to the police, “Attempted? So he’s still alive then?” but later gave a no comment interview.
Masters told the judge that the crown has witnesses that corroborate the story given by Barnes and said, “If you believe Barnes' evidence, it is clear that the defendant is guilty."
During cross examination, CCTV footage from outside Kelly’s bar played to Barnes appeared to contradict some of his version of events but Barnes stated that he could not remember every detail of the night as he was in shock having been shot, but the defence lawyer should ask his client what happened.
“You should ask your client if he did shoot me or not because he knows and I know that he shot me,” said Barnes, adding that he knew that he had seen the defendant, whom he said he had grown up with in what he called the government schemes in West Bay.
Although there is more than ten years difference in age between the men, Barnes said that they had been friends as children and played on their bikes and their families all knew each other. “It’s no mistake in who shoot me in the leg. I am the victim here. Ask your client if he shot me,” he said.
The trial continues in Grand Court one and is set down for three weeks.
Local hospital wasting over 90% of its time
(CNS): Cayman’s healthcare system has a massive opportunity to dramatically cut waste, says a healthcare management expert. Cindy Jimmerson, founder and president of Lean Healthcare West, revealed that on a visit to the hospital’s A&E last week, only six percent of the time she spent there was valuable to her as a patient. Jimmerman told an audience at last week’s health conference that she spent five and a half hours at the George Town Hospital with a medical condition which needed urgent attention. She said she had met great people and the time wasted was not necessarily a bad thing but it illustrated that there was a huge opportunity for the hospital to improve efficiency.
Speaking at this’s year’s 20/20 Health Conference Jimmerson said the authority had a 94 percent opportunity to make things better. Estimating that she had spent 330 minutes in the ER she said that only 20 of those minutes were actual patient involvement. “I see an opportunity to make a dent,” she added
Jimmerson told the audience she had met wonderful staff at the hospital and such time wasting was not a particularly bad thing and typical of the type of healthcare services in places elsewhere in the world as well.
Cutting waste was the focus of her company, which had been aligned with similar principles found at the Toyota Motor Company.
Lean Healthcare West had undertaken extensive research into the state of healthcare offerings in many different countries, working alongside 150 organisations in the US, Canada, Denmark and Australia. Her findings generally showed an average of 60 percent of everyday work practices within the healthcare system was wastage, including things like activities that had to be repeated, travel, errors, delays and confusion.
The ideal situation for any healthcare provider was to give the customers what they needed, no more and no less, providing care that was defect-free, on demand, with zero wastage within a safe working environment for all.
Introducing her company’s ‘Lean’ principles that encouraged entities to cut waste that did not add value to the patient, which frustrated healthcare workers out of their jobs but did not cut important projects, meant a higher capacity for work, lower operating costs, happier customers and workers and better leadership.
With 76 million baby boomers in the United States approaching an age when their medical needs were increasing, the need to address waste there was very important she added. Jimmerson said with the following generations, known as Generation X, Generation Y and those born in the millennium era, being far fewer in number there would be less people eventually to take care of the aging population.
Given that the US spends $3 trillion on healthcare, if it was able to cut waste by just half of the 60 percent that Jimmerson estimated was currently taking place, that would still equate to around a trillion dollars in savings.
Read more on the 20/20 Health Conference:
Local workforce must be priority for medical tourism
Doctor reveals key to affordable quality healthcare
TCI public sector workers bring government to a halt
(TCISun): Hundreds of angry Civil Servants in the Turks and Caicos Islands went on strike early Tuesday morning, disconnecting the power to Government's administrative building in the island-capital of Grand Turk and marching to the Governor's office where they chained doors to a building in which a meeting of UK-advisors was being held. Wearing red shirts and brandishing placards, the civil servants vented their rage at the Interim's Government's austerity measures which include plans to sever 300 of them by the end of the year. The majority of Government services in Grand Turk, where most of the country's 2,500 civil servants are located, ground to a crippling halt.
In Providenciales, the most populous of the 30 Turks and Caicos Islands and which is located 22 miles from Grand Turk, about 50 civil servants also took industrial action, blocking the entry to the Immigration Department where they held a rally.